I like him , and we get on comfortably together . He is handsome , young , clever enough , and very rich -- ever so much richer than the Laurences . I do n't think his family would object , and I should be very happy , for they are all kind , well-bred , generous people , and they like me . Fred , as the eldest twin , will have the estate , I suppose , and such a splendid one it is ! A city house in a fashionable street , not so showy as our big houses , but twice as comfortable and full of solid luxury , such as English people believe in . I like it , for it 's genuine . I 've seen the plate , the family jewels , the old servants , and pictures of the country place , with its park , great house , lovely grounds , and fine horses . Oh , it would be all I should ask ! And I 'd rather have it than any title such as girls snap up so readily , and find nothing behind . I may be mercenary , but I hate poverty , and do n't mean to bear it a minute longer than I can help . One of us must marry well . Meg did n't , Jo wo n't , Beth ca n't yet , so I shall , and make everything okay all round . I would n't marry a man I hated or despised . You may be sure of that , and though Fred is not my model hero , he does very well , and in time I should get fond enough of him if he was very fond of me , and let me do just as I liked . So I 've been turning the matter over in my mind the last week , for it was impossible to help seeing that Fred liked me . He said nothing , but little things showed it . He never goes with Flo , always gets on my side of the carriage , table , or promenade , looks sentimental when we are alone , and frowns at anyone else who ventures to speak to me . Yesterday at dinner , when an Austrian officer stared at us and then said something to his friend , a rakish-looking baron , about ' ein wonderschones Blondchen ' , Fred looked as fierce as a lion , and cut his meat so savagely it nearly flew off his plate . He is n't one of the cool , stiff Englishmen , but is rather peppery , for he has Scotch blood in him , as one might guess from his bonnie blue eyes . Well , last evening we went up to the castle about sunset , at least all of us but Fred , who was to meet us there after going to the Post Restante for letters .
We had a charming time poking about the ruins , the vaults where the monster tun is , and the beautiful gardens made by the elector long ago for his XXXXX wife .
Austrian Beth Blondchen English Flo Fred Laurences Meg Restante minute