"Yes, comrade, but the affair doesn't get on well; it is delayed by first one thing and then another. It seems to me as if one of us is not keen about it."
"Oh! you may be sure Athalie is keen enough."
"In this world you can't be sure of anything, least of all a heart. I only say one thing, long engagements are bad. Instead of getting nearer to each other people only get further apart, and learn to know each other's failings and weaknesses. If this occurs after marriage one thinks, in God's name, we can not go back. Let me advise you, comrade, if you wish to marry and have fallen in love, don't wait long to think about it; for if you begin to calculate it will only end in a breach."
"With you I should fancy there is no danger in calculations about a girl who is so rich."
"Riches are relative, my friend. Believe me, every woman knows how to get rid of the interest of her dowry; and then no one exactly knows the financial position of Herr Brazovics. A heap of money goes through his hands, but he does not like striking a proper business-like balance, so as to show what he has gained or lost by his dealings."
"For my part I think he is very well off. And Athalie is a very pretty and clever young lady."
"Yes, yes; but you need not praise Athalie to me like a horse you take to market. Let us rather talk of your affairs."
If Katschuka had been able to look into Timar's heart he would have found that what they had been talking of _was_ his friend's affair. Timar had turned the conversation to Athalie because--because he envied the officer the smile of Timéa's face. It was as if he had said, "You have no right to Timéa's smile--you are engaged; marry Athalie!"
"Now, let us talk of serious matters. My friend in Orsova writes me that I am to befriend you. Good; I will try. You are in a position anything but pleasant: the ship intrusted to you is wrecked. It is not your fault, but a great misfortune for you, for every one will now fear to intrust you with a vessel. Your principal seizes your caution-money, and who knows whether you can recover it by law. You would like to help the poor orphan--I see it in your eyes; that she should lose such a pretty fortune affects you more than any one else. How can we get out of this with one _coup_?"