-"

"The mutual interdependence of things, you mean," interrupted Euchar.

"Well, well," went on Ludwig. "But, at all events, a few days
afterwards I was going through the Park, and in front of that Cafe
where you and I saw that little Spanish girl for the first time, out
came the landlady rushing--oh, you have no idea what an interest that
good woman, who got the vinegar and water that day when I hurt my knee,
takes in me still--but that is not to the present purpose--to ask if I
knew what had become of the little Spanish girl and her companion, who
used to come there so often, and of whom nothing had been seen for
several weeks. Next day I took a great deal of trouble to find out
whether she was in the town or not, but it did not lie in the mutual
interdependence of things that I should succeed in this. And my heart
repented of the foolishness it had been so near committing, and turned
back again to the heavenly Victorine. But my crime of infidelity to her
had made such a profound impression upon that super-sensitive
organization of hers that she refused to see me or even to hear my name
mentioned. Good old Cochenille assured me that she had fallen into a
state of absolute melancholia; that she would often cry till the was
almost breathless, and wail in the most pathetic manner, saying 'He is
lost to me. I have lost him for ever.' You may imagine the effect which
all this produced upon me--how I was dissolved in sorrow over this
unfortunate misunderstanding. Cochenille proffered me his aid. He said
he would diplomatically convince the Countess that I was quite an
altered man, never dancing more than four times at the most at balls,
sitting at the theatre staring at the stage in an oblivious manner, and
paying not the smallest attention to my clothes. I sent a flowing
stream of gold pieces into his hands, and in return he gave me fresh
hopes every morning. At last Victorine allowed me to see her again. How
lovely she was! Oh, Victorine, my darling--beautiful, sweetest of
wives--amiability and kindness personified!"

Here Nettchen came in and said that the Baroness was astonished at the
Baron's extraordinary conduct. First he rang the bell as if the house
were on fire, and then he asked her to receive a visitor in the
exceedingly critical state of her health. She most certainly could not
see anybody that day whoever it might be, and begged the strange
gentleman to excuse her. Nettchen looked Euchar straight in the eye