Was it any wonder she refused to give herself to such a man? Could she act otherwise than she did? Women are the best judges on this point. Men cannot witness against themselves.
CHAPTER XVIII
FINANCIAL WISDOM
The Bondavara Joint-Stock Company was about to issue its prospectus; the speculation had been advertised largely, and now it only waited the necessary capital of ten millions to start the railway which was to put the finest coal-mines in the kingdom within the reach of the markets of the great cities. The speculation did not, however, attract the public. Who knows about the value of the mine? said one. Who believes what the papers say? We all know that trick. The gudgeons held off, and did not rise to the bait offered.
One day Felix Kaulmann brought one of the directors to see Ivan Behrend, and while these two were in conversation he noticed, lying on the table, a piece of coal from the Bondavara mine, upon which was distinctly visible the outline of a plant about the size of a finger.
"Is this the impression of an antediluvian bird's claw?" he asked.
"No," returned Ivan; "it is a petrified plant."
"Ah, I am making a collection of petrifactions."
"Then take that to add to it," said Ivan, carelessly.
Felix carried away the piece of coal in his pocket.