passed their evenings together in the beer-garden, she would
studiously manage that his chair should not be close to her own.
Occasionally she would walk with him, but not more frequently now
than of yore. Very few, indeed, of a lover's privileges did he
enjoy. And in this way the long year wore itself out, and Isa Heine
was one-and-twenty.

All those family details which had made it inexpedient to apply
either to old Hatto or to Herbert's father before the end of the
year need not be specially explained. Old Hatto, who had by far the
greater share in the business, was a tyrant somewhat feared both by
his brother and sister-in-law; and the elder Onslow, as was known to
them all, was a man straitened in circumstances. But soon after New
Year's Day the proposition was made in the Schrannen Platz, and the
letter was written. On this occasion Madame Heine went down to the
bank, and together with her husband, was closeted for an hour with
old Hatto. Uncle Hatto's verdict was not favourable. As to the
young people's marriage, that was his brother's affair, not his.
But as to the partnership, that was a serious matter. Who ever
heard of a partnership being given away merely because a man wanted
to marry? He would keep to his promise, and if the stipulated
moneys were forthcoming, Herbert Onslow should become a partner,--in
four years. Nor was the reply from England more favourable. The
alliance was regarded by all the Onslows very favourably. Nothing
could be nicer than such a marriage! They already knew dear Isa so
well by description! But as for the money,--that could not in any
way be forthcoming till the end of the stipulated period.

"And what shall we do?" said Herbert to Papa Heine.