Ludwig Tieck

“ Dear, exasperating, blissful coquetry: for most young girls, that is the source of their happiness! And the old gentleman is so good and honest, so guileless, that he is only happy when his children are pleasing. ”

“ The musician, who, once he had begun to speak, needed no further encouragement to continue, proceeded to describe the family.
— You, Lord Feldheim, he said sardonically, have discovered how to be assured forever of the Countess's love, even if you were not related to her. So long as the dear old lady has a patient to look after, she is in her element; she loves to play doctor, and as I know how passionate she can be, I sometimes feign illness, especially after a little squabble (because she really cannot tolerate me) , just to get back in her good books. ”

“ Whenever we make music, it is really only for his sake; his favourite pieces, which are generally the worst, must be performed; he flatters and lies, and they adore, dissemble and marvel at him. That is the way of the world. ”

“ The count was touched that he should find more comfort amongst his enemies, as it were, than he had ever found amongst his compatriots, even his close friends; for his own sons, misled, as he lamented, by the prattle of that musician, only rarely agreed with him. For there are good things that the multitude are often unable to appreciate, precisely because these things are imperceptible and supreme ”

“ She neither sees nor hears what is happening around her, she neither loves nor hates, she is so beautiful that one is driven to distraction, and she has so little idea how to make use of her beauty that she wanders about like a silly child. ”

“ That's also why that hypocritical sneak, the wan-faced relative, is his favourite, because he sometimes removes the mute from his instrument and gives vent to his disgust in very loud and heroic tones. He is always predicting to us all, and to the foreigners as well, the fall of France and the reawakening of our own nation. ”

“ Little Sidonie takes extraordinary pleasure in the company of the young, friendly major; she accepts all his marks of attention with joy, and is morose if she does not see him every day. And little Leonora faithfully assists her prudent sister in her admiration of the kind and valiant gentleman. ”

“ She would also like to bring up her daughters as benefactresses — but they prefer to stick to healthy men, and your illness has not commended you so highly to them. The two younger countesses are full of arrogance and guile, they are happy only when they are pleasing to others, and spare neither friend nor enemy their charms. ”