"My  sweetest  love,  my  time  is  precious.  I  am  ex-
pected at  the  stock -exchange.  The  Kauhnann  specu-
lation has  to  be  crushed.  It  is  just  twelve  o'clock.  I
give  you  one  hour  to  think  over  what  I  have  said  and
to  decide  your  own  fate.  I  am  content  to  wait  until
then ;  it  is  only  one  word  I  ask  for— yes  or  no."

Eveline  gave  him  a  yet  shorter  answer.  She  dashed
the  timepiece  which  he  had  put  into  her  hand  with  such
force  on  the  floor  that  it  flew  into  a  hundred  pieces.
That  was  her  answer  !

Prince  Waldemar  laughed,  put  his  hand  in  his  left-
hand  waistcoat-pocket,  took  out  another  \vatch,  and  said,

dryly :

"  I  expected  just  such  an  answer,  and  therefore  I
brought  with  me  another  watch.  I  beg  of  you  to  break
this  one  also.  I  shall  be  only  too  happy  to  provide  you
with  a  third."

This  time,  however,  Eveline  did  not  take  the  time-
piece in  her  hand.  She  sprang  to  her  feet,  and,  pointing
with  her  hand  towards  the  door,  cried  out :

"  If  you  have  bought  my  things,  take  everything  away ;
but  the  apartment  is  still  mine.      Go  P'

Prince  Waldemar  looked  at  her  haughtily,  although
he  was  still  smiling.
"  My  dear  lady,  this  is  easily  said  ;  but  reflect  a  mo-
ment. What  will  become  of  you  if  you  reject  me  ?  You
have  no  other  expedient."

"I  have  a  shelter,"  returned  the  girl,  bitterly,  "to
which  I  can  turn,  and  that  is  charcoal."

Prince  Waldemar  made  her  a  low  bow,  and,  without
uttering  another  word,  took  his  hat  and  left  her.
