Mowbray raised his head calmly, and yielding like all lovers to the temptation to pour into the bosom of his friend those troubled thoughts which oppressed his heart, said to his companion: "The woman we were speaking of the other day." "You have not told me her name," said Hoffland. "It is useless." "Why?" "Because she is lost to me." "Lost?" "For ever." And after this gloomy reply, Mowbray looked away. Hoffland placed a hand upon his arm, and said: "Upon what grounds do you base your opinion that she is lost to you?" "It is not an opinion; I know it too well." "If you were mistaken?" "Mistaken!" said Mowbray; "mistaken! You think I am mistaken? Then you know nothing of what took place at our last interview; or you did not listen rather--for if my memory does not deceive me, I told you all." "I did listen." "And you now doubt that she is lost to me?" "Seriously." "Charles, you are either the most inexperienced or the most desperately hopeful character that has ever been created." "I am neither," said Hoffland smiling. "I am rational, and I know what I say." Mowbray suppressed an impatient gesture, and said: "Did I not tell you that she made me the butt for her wit and sarcasm----" "Are you sure?" "Yes; and more! She scoffed at me, as a mere fortune-hunter, and gave me the most ironical advice----" "You are convinced it was ironical?" "Convinced? Have I eyes--have I ears? Truly, if I had failed to be convinced, I should have verified the scriptural saying of those who have eyes and see not--who have ears and do not hear." "Are the eyes always true?" said Hoffland, smiling. "No: you have not succeeded, nevertheless, in showing me that I saw wrong." "Are the ears invariably just?" "For Heaven's sake, cease worrying me with general propositions!" said Mowbray. Then, seeing that his companion was hurt by his irritated tone, he added: "Forgive me, Charles! I lose my equanimity upon this subject; let us dismiss it."