"Now is my turn," said he. "I will try to be more intelligent, and perhaps I shall be more lucky."
Cosel smiled bitterly.
"Everything is written above, predestinated, unchangeable--no one can escape his fate."
"And why should it not be my fate to give you liberty?"
She shook her head.
"For this reason, that I shall be free in another way," said she. "Formerly I was blind, but now I see my destiny in this book. There is no favour in this world; there is only iron, unbreakable, unavoidable necessity. One must submit to it. In the Old Testament alone is wisdom."
Zaklika did not know what to say to that.
"Do you remain here?" asked Cosel.
"I do not know yet. Tell me what I have to do; I am ready for anything."
Cosel turned over several pages, and began to read: