Nina had seen Rebecca, but had never spoken to her.

Each girl had heard much of the other from their younger friend Ruth Jacobi.

Ruth was very intimate with them both, and Nina had been willing enough to be told of Rebecca, as had Rebecca also to be told of Nina.

"Grandfather wants Anton to marry Rebecca," Ruth had said more than once; and thus Nina knew well that Rebecca was her rival.

"I think he loves her better than his own eyes," Ruth had said to Rebecca, speaking of her uncle and Nina.