Pierre Raimond remained mute and pensive while M. de Hansfeld was thus speaking; by degrees the expression of bitter wrath faded from his harsh features, and just before Arnold had quite ceased, the old engraver looked earnestly towards his daughter, accompanying his regard with a movement of the head indicative of his approbation. Bertha, with downcast eyes, sat plunged in the deepest melancholy; she knew her father too well to expect that, after the prince's confession, he would admit him again to his house; and thus she saw torn from her the only charm which had enabled her to support her sufferings; the idea was too painful for her gentle nature to struggle against, and she resigned herself to utter hopelessness and despair. After a few instants' silence, Pierre Raimond extended his hand to M. de Hansfeld, saying,-- "You are right--quite right! you triumph even over my prejudices, since you nobly and voluntarily undertake a sacrifice--which may cost you much, but which must cost us more!" "I must not hope to see you again?" inquired Arnold, sorrowfully. "Impossible! to receive into my house the man who had saved my life, and even contract with him a degree of intimacy, warranted by the supposed equality of our conditions, was natural enough; relying, too, on the noble integrity of his heart and honourable principles, I might even blamelessly have sanctioned the brotherly affection he evinced for my child; but all that is at an end. A poor artisan like myself is not a befitting companion for a prince; neither can my daughter take his hand with an innocent freedom as she did at our last meeting; she can no longer dare to claim a sister's right to welcome one whom Providence has placed in a sphere so different from ours. No, no: I may pardon the artifice you employed to obtain our friendship--but I should be applauding and commending you for it were I henceforward to permit a continuance of your visits." "I beseech you to believe----" "I am fully aware how painful will be your separation from us; not, however, more so than it will be to us." "Oh no!" murmured Bertha, unable to restrain her tears. "But," resumed Pierre Raimond, "you can seek consolation in the pleasures which your rank and fortune can afford." "The pleasures! alas, do you believe what you say!"