need not notice me any longer. I shall be lost to you, and that will be all."  

"If you were to do such a thing you would disgrace us. But you will not be allowed to do it."  

"But I shall do it."  

"Nina!"  

"Yes, aunt. I shall do it. Do you think I will be false to my troth?"  

"Your troth to a Jew is nothing. Father Jerome will tell you so."  

"I shall not ask Father Jerome. Father Jerome, of course, will condemn me; but I shall not ask him whether or not I am to keep my promise — my solemn promise."  

"And why not?"  

Then Nina paused a moment before she answered. But she did answer, and answered with that bold defiant air which at first had disconcerted her aunt.  

"I will ask no one, aunt Sophie, because I love Anton Trendellsohn, and have told him that I love him."  

"Pshaw!"  

"I have nothing more to say, aunt. I thought it right to tell you, and now I will go."  

She had turned to the door, and had her hand upon the lock when her aunt stopped her. "Wait a moment, Nina. You have had your say; now you must hear me."  

"I will hear you if you say nothing against him."  

"I shall say what I please."  

"Then I will not hear you." Nina again made for the door, but her aunt intercepted her retreat. "Of course you can stop me, aunt, in that way if you choose."  

"You bold, bad girl!"  

"You may say what you please about myself."  

"You are a bold, bad girl!"  

"Perhaps I am. Father Jerome says we are all bad. And as for boldness, I have to be bold."  

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