It was drizzling but he did not call a cab; thrusting his hands into his pockets, he strode up the shining, wet street, his head sunk forward. It was true that he had loved Ragna ever since the trip on the _Norje_; her fair head had been ever before his eyes; shining like a lode star from afar, though he had had no thought of ever seeing her again. In his pocketbook he carried the little pencil sketch he had made of her, and her notes with the brief words of thanks for his New Year's cards. He was not a sentimental man, but his mind was of a rather dogged quality. Ragna's girlish innocence and charm had made a profound impression on him, and that impression persisted with a curious tenacity; she had become his ideal woman, and stood to him for all that sisters might have been, all that he desired in the wife never to be his. To think of her now, hurt and hardened, her innocence trampled and crushed, her girlhood soiled beyond remedy, to think of her morally alone, stripped of the protection of maidenhood, her wounded and suspicious pride refusing the help of his strong arm, maddened him. He entered the hotel and went straight to Mirko's room. The Prince was lying on a couch, smoking, the picture of lazy comfort; the contrast between his appearance and the visible wretchedness of the girl he had just left added fuel to the flame of Angelescu's indignation. "Well, Otto, what did she say?" "She refused, as I told you she would." "Did she? Oh, well, she'll probably console herself," he growled. Angelescu took a step forward, his brow drawn menacingly over his blazing eyes. "Have you no shame?" "My good Otto, what a question! Of course, I am overcome with shame! I am glad the girl had the spirit to go to the ball and amuse herself--" "How dare you--" "Don't excite yourself, Otto, I beg! Let us say, then, she went to the ball without amusing herself. She shows a fine, independent spirit too, in refusing--" "I shall forget that you are my Prince presently, and then--" "Don't, Otto, it would be so unwise! Now what else did she have to say? Accused me all round, eh?" "She said nothing of you except that she despised you." "And then? I suppose you agreed with her?" "I asked her to be my wife." "And she jumped at the chance?" "She refused." "By Jove! Refused your noble offer?"