“The same friend,” he went on, “has another law which he proposes.  A marriage shall be held indissoluble only when either both parties, or at least one or the other, enter into it for the third time.  Such persons must be supposed to acknowledge beyond a doubt that they find marriage indispensable for themselves; they have had opportunities of thoroughly knowing themselves; of knowing how they conducted themselves in their earlier unions; whether they have any peculiarities of temper, which are a more frequent cause of separation than bad dispositions.  People would then observe each other more closely; they would pay as much attention to the married as to the unmarried, no one being able to tell how things may turn out.”

“That would add no little to the interest of society,” said Edward.  “As things are now, when a man is married nobody cares any more either for his virtues or for his vices.”

“Under this arrangement,” the Baroness struck in, laughing, “our good hosts have passed successfully over their two steps, and may make themselves ready for their third.”

“Things have gone happily with them,” said the Count.  “In their case death has done with a good will what in others the consistorial courts do with a very bad one.

“Let the dead rest,” said Charlotte, with a half serious look.

“Why so,” persevered the Count, “when we can remember them with honor?  They were generous enough to content themselves with less than their number of years for the sake of the larger good which they could leave behind them.”

“Alas! that in such cases,” said the Baroness, with a suppressed sigh, “happiness is bought only with the sacrifice of our fairest years.”

“Indeed, yes,” answered the Count; “and it might drive us to despair, if it were not the same with everything in this world.  Nothing goes as we hope.  Children do not fulfil what they promise; young people very seldom; and if they keep their word, the world does not keep its word with them.”

Charlotte, who was delighted that the conversation had taken a turn at last, replied cheerfully: 

“Well, then, we must content ourselves with enjoying what good we are to have in fragments and pieces, as we can get it; and the sooner we can accustom ourselves to this the better.”

“Certainly,” the Count answered, “you two have had the enjoyment of very happy times.  When I look back upon the years when you and Edward were the loveliest couple at the court, I see nothing now to be compared with those brilliant times, and such magnificent figures.  When you two used to dance together, all eyes were turned upon you, fastened upon you, while you saw nothing but each other.”

“So much has changed since those days,” said Charlotte, “that we can listen to such pretty things about ourselves without our modesty being shocked at them.”

“I often privately found fault with Edward,” said the Count, “for not being more firm.  Those singular parents of his would certainly have given way at last; and ten fair years is no trifle to gain.”