On the contrary, it was deepened.

Fink behaved with more consideration, and Anton gained more freedom, both of opinion and action.

The influence of the younger of the friends weaned the elder from many an evil habit.
Anton being more than ever zealous in his office duties, and more obliging to his colleagues, Fink insensibly accustomed himself to greater application and punctuality.

There was only one subject that he never touched upon, though he well knew that it was always uppermost in Anton's mind, and that was the lovely young girl who had shown so much heart and spirit on the occasion of his last dancing-lesson..