by compulsion, were it even inward compulsion, while she secretly grieved over not being able to be mine. If you notice, or even suspect, that she is on the point of committing such a folly, you will know that it is your duty not to accept such a sacrifice, but, if necessary, to open her eyes and give her back her liberty which she herself has not the courage to take. It is possible that you have driven me out of her heart, in that case the matter is already settled. But it is also possible that she loves us both, each in his own way. In that case she will surely have a great struggle to go through in order to come to a conclusion; but she must fight it out alone, and we most certainly ought not to make the battle harder by forcing ourselves upon her and by dragging her in opposite directions. … Minna must choose between us; for she has not chosen, and no power on earth can relieve her from making a choice. But she must be free to choose—that is all that I demand."
"I shall not put any hindrance in the way of her liberty, either direct or indirect, and I will submit to her decision without trying to shake it. I rely upon you to do the same.… And as I suppose your object in this meeting was to obtain such a declaration from me, I presume that we can now part—as enemies."
"But, at any rate, as honest enemies, who are fighting in the open and with equal weapons."
I took my hat down from the peg, gave a stiff bow, and left the room. In the billiard-room the game had ceased; a couple of the shirt-sleeved men, who were standing with their hands on one another's shoulders, were assuring each other of their "absolute affection and unbounded esteem." The musical member, who sat on the corner of the billiard-table, sang: "Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott." I guessed,
