But perhaps the glorious flower may strike new roots in the soil of hatred and I, the hapless wretch who water it, may see it." At this, Paula again took both his hands, and exclaimed in deep and painful agitation of mind: "Say no more, I beg and entreat you.

How can I live in peace here, under your protection and in constant intercourse with you, without knowing myself guilty of a breach of propriety such as the most sacred feelings of a young girl bid her avoid, if you persist in overstepping the limits which bound true and faithful friendship?
I am a lonely girl and should give myself up to despair, as lost, if I could not take refuge in the belief that I can rely upon myself.

Be satisfied with what I have to offer you, my friend, and may God reward you! Let us both remain worthy of the esteem which, thank Heaven! we are fully justified in feeling for each other." The physician, deeply moved, bent his head; scarcely able to control himself, he pressed her firm white hand to his lips, while, just at this moment, Perpetua and the treasurer came into the room.
This worthy official--a perfectly commonplace man, neither tall nor short, neither old nor young, with a pale, anxious face, furrowed by work and responsibility, but shrewd and finely cut-glanced keenly at the pair, and then proceeded to lay a considerable sum in gold pieces before Paula.

His young master had sent it, in obedience to his deceased father's wishes, for her immediate needs; the rest, the larger part of her fortune, with a full account, would be given over to her after the Mukaukas was buried.

Nilus could, however, give her an approximate idea of the sum, and it was so considerable that Paula could not believe her ears.