“So she went on about Franz going off on his travels with a handsome allowance, till Papa Franz consented, and settled an income upon him, which, if they had been selfish parents, they would have said they could not afford; but, as it was, they talked the matter over together, and told each other that it was very little two old souls like themselves would want when their gay son was away; and so they would draw in, and live quite quietly, as they used to do in their early days before they grew rich, and would let the lad have the money to spend upon his amusements.

“Young Franz either didn’t know, or didn’t choose to think about this.  Clever as he was about many things, he was not clever enough to take in the full value of the sacrifices his parents were making for him; so he thanked them lightly for the promised allowance, rattled the first payment cheerfully into his purse, and smiled on papa and mamma with almost condescending complacency.  When he was equipped in his best suit, and just ready for starting, his mother took him aside.

“‘Franz, my dear,’ she said, ’you know how much money and pains have been spent on your education.  You can play, and dance, and sing, and talk, and make yourself heard wherever you go.  Now mind you do make yourself heard, or who is to find out your merits?  Don’t be shy and downcast when you come among strangers.  All you have to think about, with your advantages, is to make yourself agreeable.  That’s the rule for you!  Make yourself agreeable wherever you go, and the wife and the fortune will soon be at your feet.  And, Franz,’ continued she, laying hold of the button of his coat, ’there is something else.  You know, I have often said that the one only thing I could wish different about you is, that your nose should not turn up quite so much.  But you see, my darling boy, we can’t alter our noses.  Nevertheless, look here! you can incline your head in such a manner as almost to hide the little defect.  See—­this way—­there—­let me put it as I mean—­a little down and on one side.  It was the way I used to carry my head before I married, or I doubt very much whether your father would have looked my way.  Think of this when you’re in company.  It’s a graceful attitude too, and you will find it much admired.’

“Franz embraced his mother, and promised obedience to all her commands; but he was glad when her lecture ended, for he was not very fond of her remarks upon his nose.  Just then the door of his father’s room opened, and he called out:-

“‘Franz, my dear, I want to speak to you.’

“Franz entered the room, and ‘Now, my dear boy,’ said papa, ’before you go, let me give you one word of parting advice; but stop, we will shut the door first, if you please.  That’s right.  Well, now, look here.  I know that no pains or expense have been spared over your education.  You can play, and dance, and sing, and talk, and make yourself heard wherever you go.’