It sprang, full of passion, from her agitated soul; this it was that grieved the leech who knew human nature, and at the same time roused his apprehensions.

Paula read his disapproval in his face, and felt that there was a deep significance in his words, "And you will perhaps consent." "Men are vexed," thought she, "when, after they have decisively expressed an opinion, we women dare unhesitatingly to assert a different one," so, as she would on no account hurt the feelings of the friend to whom she owed so much, she said kindly: "I do not care to enquire into the meaning of your strange prognostication.

Thank God, by your kindness and care I have severed every tie that could have bound me to my poor uncle's son!--Now we will drop the subject; we have said too much about him already." "That is quite my opinion," replied Philippus.

"And, indeed, I would beg you quite to forget my 'perhaps.' I live wholly in the present and am no prophet; but I foresee, nevertheless, that Orion will make every effort, cost what it may...." "Well ?" "To approach you again, to win your forgiveness, to touch your heart, to...." "Let him dare" exclaimed Paula lifting her hand with a threatening gesture.
"And when he, gifted as he is in every way, has found his better self again and can come forward purified and worthy of the approbation of the best...." "Still I will never, never forget how he has sinned and what he brought upon me!--Do you think that I have already forgotten your conversation with Neforis?
You ask nothing of your friends but honest feeling akin to your own,--and what is it that repels me from Orion but feeling?
Thousands have altered their behavior, but--answer me frankly--surely not what we mean by their feeling ?" "Yes, that too," said the leech with stern gravity.

"Feeling, too, may change.