“We have not a copper in the world,” continued Rose with cruel persistency; “I have sold everything that I had, to preserve the rags that I am wearing.  Not a scrap of wood remains, and we have not tasted food since yesterday morning.”

To these words, which were uttered in a tone of the most bitter reproach, the young man made no reply, but clasped his icily cold hands against his forehead, as though in utter despair.

“Yes, that is a true picture of our position,” resumed Rose coldly, her accents growing more and more contemptuous.  “And I tell you that something must be done at once, some means discovered, I care not what, to relieve us from our present miserable state.”

Paul tore off his overcoat, and held it toward her.

“Take it, and pawn it,” exclaimed he; but the girl made no move.

“Is that all that you have to propose?” asked she, in the same glacial tone.

“They will lend you three francs upon it, and with that we can get bread and fuel.”

“And after that is gone?”

“After that—­oh, we will think of our next step, and shall have time to hit upon some plan.  Time, a little time, is all that I require, Rose, to break asunder the bonds which seem to fetter me.  Some day success must crown my efforts; and with success, Rose, dear, will come affluence, but in the meantime we must learn to wait.”

“And where are the means to enable us to wait?”

“No matter; they will come.  Only do what I tell you, and who can say what to-morrow——­”

Paul was still too much absorbed in his own thoughts to notice the expression upon the young girl’s face; for had he done so, he would at once have perceived that she was not in the humor to permit the matter to be shelved in this manner.

“To-morrow!” she broke in sarcastically.  “To-morrow,—­always the same pitiful cry.  For months past we seem to have lived upon the word.  Look you here, Paul, you are no longer a child, and ought to be able to look things straight in the face.  What can I get on that threadbare coat of yours?  Perhaps three francs at the outside.  How many days will that last us?  We will say three.  And then, what then?  Besides, can you not understand that your dress is too shabby for you to make an impression on the people you go to see?  Well-dressed applicants only have attention, and to obtain money, you must appear not to need it; and, pray, what will people think of you if you have no overcoat?  Without one you will look ridiculous, and can hardly venture into the streets.”

“Hush!” cried Paul, “for pity’s sake, hush! for your words only prove to me more plainly that you are like the rest of the world, and that want of success is a pernicious crime in your eyes.  You once had confidence in me, and then you spoke in a very different strain.”

“Once indeed! but then I did not know—­”

“No, Rose, it was not what you were then ignorant of; but it was that in those days you loved me.”