"And what connection has this with the Brazilian journey?"
"There is not a word of truth in it; no ship-wood comes from there."
"Not even those you mentioned, among which were dye and chemical woods?"
Theodor smiled. "The truth is that I wanted to sell the trees of the ownerless island to a charcoal-burner to get a little money; Therese guessed at once my real object."
"Then you did not come to the island for Noémi's sake?"
"Oh, I have as many wives as the countries I have visited."
"H'm—I know of a very good situation for you in Brazil, an agency for a lately commenced enterprise, where a knowledge of the Hungarian, German, Italian, English, and Spanish languages is necessary."
"I speak and write all these languages."
"I know it—and also Greek, Turkish, Polish, and Russian: you are a clever fellow. I will procure for you this situation, in which you can make use of your talents. The agency of which I speak carries with it a salary of three thousand dollars and a percentage of the profits, the amount of which will depend on yourself."
Theodor could hardly believe his ears. But he was so accustomed to pretense that when he was overcome by real gratitude he had not the courage to give it expression, lest it should be taken for acting.