"My betrothed! I have none. She of whom you speak will never be anything to me."
"But you go there, and you also go to Henri Segel's, who is in very bad odour with us. You openly speak against us; and, lastly, you refused to pay that money to us."
Jacob smiled sadly.
"Singular destiny," said he. "I have enemies, and many of them; I, who am no man's enemy. But you, Ivas, you do not mistrust me?"
"No, I honour your character; I esteem you; I have defended you, and I will continue to do so; but the great majority of my companions think otherwise."
"Let us talk no more of me. I am prepared for the worst. But tell me, is it not possible to delay the insurrection?"
"It is impossible, and in my turn I also ask you to speak of something else."
He was just going, when Kruder, all out of breath, rushed into the apartment.
"Ah! you are here," said he to Ivas; "at last I have found you. I see by your accoutrements that you are off. It is too soon, too soon, do you hear? In Heaven's name do not act prematurely and unreflectingly."
"I suppose you would advise us to wait until the Russians seize us?"