"When once we stray from the Holy Church, there is no knowing what terrible evils may come upon us," said Madame Zamenoy.
"No indeed, ma'am," said Lotta Luxa.
"But I have done all in my power."
"That you have, ma'am."
"I feel quite sure, Lotta, that the Jew will never marry her. Why should a man like that, who loves money better than his soul, marry a girl who has not a kreutzer to bless herself?"
"Why indeed, ma'am! It's my mind that he don't think of marrying her."
"And, Jew as he is, he cares for his religion. He will not bring trouble upon everybody belonging to him by taking a Christian for his wife."
"That he will not, ma'am, you may be sure," said Lotta.
"And where will she be then? Only fancy, Lotta — to have been jilted by a Jew!" Then Madame Zamenoy, without addressing herself directly to Nina, walked out of the room; but as she did so she paused in the doorway, and again spoke to Lotta. "To be jilted by a Jew, Lotta! Think of that."
"I should drown myself," said Lotta Luxa. And then they both were gone.