Was not their love alone enough? No, he knew that
it was not, and he felt with painful surprise that his contempt for
outward appearances, his impulse after reality, were vigorous in him
as long as he followed his inmost life alone; but when he came out
of himself, and wished to unite another human destiny with his own,
these things had become a painful weakness. Through this other life,
the world's customs and frivolities began to influence him. and his
proud independence must be humbled to the dust, or he must painfully
tolerate his own weakness. These reflections brought another with
them--it was quite possible that an opportunity might occur at the
last moment. He painted the scene in his own imagination; he found
Loulou alone, embraced her fervently, asked her if she would be his
for life; she said "Yes;" then her mother came in, Loulou threw
herself on her neck; he took her hand and asked her in due form if
she would accept him as a son-in-law, as he had already gained
Loulou's consent. If the councilor was at home, his consent was also
given, if not they must wait until he came, and the time could not
seem long, even if it lasted an hour. He did not doubt that they
would all consent. Things might very likely have happened just as he
dreamed of, if he had only come to his determination at the right
time, and had not hazarded success on the decision of the last
moment, when there was hardly time for a weighty decision.
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