 wondered
if Felix had been teaching him, according to the programme he had sketched out,
to make love to the wife of a German prince.
    Charlotte came in late with Mr. Brand; but Gertrude, to whom, at least,
Felix had taught something, looked in vain, in her face, for the traces of a
guilty passion. Mr. Brand sat down by Gertrude, and she presently asked him why
they had not crossed the pond to join Felix and herself.
    »It is cruel of you to ask me that,« he answered, very softly. He had a
large morsel of cake before him; but he fingered it without eating it. »I
sometimes think you are growing cruel,« he added.
    Gertrude said nothing; she was afraid to speak. There was a kind of rage in
her heart; she felt as if she could easily persuade herself that she was
persecuted. She said to herself that it was quite right that she should not
allow him to make her believe she was wrong. She thought of what Felix had said
to her; she wished indeed Mr. Brand would marry Charlotte. She looked away from
him and spoke no more. Mr. Brand ended by eating his cake, while Felix sat
opposite, describing to Mr. Wentworth the students' duels at Heidelberg. After
tea they all dispersed themselves, as usual, upon the piazza and in the garden;
and Mr. Brand drew near to Gertrude again.
    »I didn't come to you this afternoon because you were not alone,« he began;
»because you were with a newer friend.«
    »Felix? He is an old friend by this time.«
    Mr. Brand looked at the ground for some moments. »I thought I was prepared
to hear you speak in that way,« he resumed. »But I find it very painful.«
    »I don't see what else I can say,« said Gertrude.
    Mr. Brand walked beside her for a while in silence; Gertrude wished he would
go away. »He is certainly very accomplished. But I think I ought to advise you.«
    »To advise me?«
    »I think I know your nature.«
    »I think you don't,« said Gertrude, with a soft laugh.
    »You make yourself out worse than you are - to please him,« Mr. Brand said,
gently.
    »Worse - to please him? What do you mean?« asked Gertrude, stopping.
    Mr. Brand stopped also, and with the same soft straightforwardness
