Whatdidhethinkofallthistime，then？Whatdidhewishfor？
Thereisnodoubtthathewasaperfectlyfreeagentallthrough，andthatasfarasNastasiawasconcerned，therewasnoforceofanykindbroughttobearonhim。Nastasiawishedforaspeedymarriage，true！——buttheprinceagreedatoncetoherproposals；
heagreed，infact，socasuallythatanyonemightsupposehewasbutaccedingtothemostsimpleandordinarysuggestion。
Therearemanystrangecircumstancessuchasthisbeforeus；butinouropiniontheydobutdeepenthemystery，anddonotinthesmallestdegreehelpustounderstandthecase。
However，letustakeonemoreexample。Thus，weknowforafactthatduringthewholeofthisfortnighttheprincespentallhisdaysandeveningswithNastasia；hewalkedwithher，drovewithher；hebegantoberestlesswheneverhepassedanhourwithoutseeingher——infact，toallappearances，hesincerelylovedher。