She had talked quickly and eagerly at last; she was trembling with excitement, she had her eyes fixed on his face to catch the first symptom of acquiescence.

But, on the contrary, Mr. Lind remained quite impassive, and he said, coldly,

“This is a different matter altogether, Madame Potecki.  I do not blame you for interfering; but I must tell you at once that your interference is not likely to be of much use.  You see, there are reasons which I cannot explain to you, but which are very serious, why any proposal of marriage between Mr. Brand and Natalie is not to be entertained for a moment.  The thing is quite impossible.  Very well.  She knows this; she knows that I wish all communication between them to cease; nevertheless, she says she will see him every day until he goes.  How can you wonder that she is unhappy?  Is it not her own doing?”

“If she was in reality my child, that is not the way I would speak,” said the little woman, boldly.

“Unfortunately, my dear Madame Potecki,” said Mr. Lind, blandly, “I cannot, as I say, explain to you the reasons which make such a marriage impossible, or you yourself would say it was impossible.  Very well, then.  If you wish to do a service to your friend Natalie—­if you wish to see her less unhappy, you know what advice to give her.  A girl who perseveres in wilful disobedience is not likely to be very contented in her mind.”

Madame Potecki sat silent and perplexed.  This man seemed so firm, so reasonable, so assured, it was apparently hopeless to expect any concession from him.  And yet what was the use of her going away merely to repeat the advice she had already given?

“And in any case,” he continued, lightly, “it is not an affair for you to be deeply troubled about, my dear Madame Potecki; on the contrary, it is a circumstance of little moment.  If Natalie chooses to indulge this sentiment—­well, the fate of empires does not hang on it, and in a little while it will be all right.  Youth soon recovers from small disappointments; the girl is not morbid or melancholy.  Moreover, she has plenty to occupy her mind with:  do not fear that she will be permanently unhappy.”

All this gave Natalie’s friend but scant consolation.  She knew something of the girl, she knew it was not a light matter that had made her resolve to share banishment with her lover rather than that he should depart alone.

“Yes, she is acting contrary to my wishes,” continued Mr. Lind, who saw that his visitor was anxious and chagrined.  “But why should you vex yourself with that, my dear madame?—­why, indeed?  It is only for a few days.  When Mr. Brand leaves for America, then she will settle down to her old ways.  This episode of sentiment will soon be forgotten.  Do not fear for your friend Natalie; she has a healthy constitution; she is not likely to sigh away her life.”

“But you do not understand, Mr. Lind!” Madame Potecki exclaimed suddenly.  “You do not understand.  When he leaves for America, there is to be an end?  No!  You are not aware, then, that if he goes to America, Natalie will go also?”