I have seen so much of life--But
enough on this topic. With kindest regards to your husband, your
humble servant, Dr. Rummschuettel."
Mrs. von Briest had read the letter to her husband. They were sitting
on the shady tile walk, with their backs to the drawing room and
facing the circular bed and the sundial. The wild grapevine twining
around the windows was rustling gently in the breeze and over the
water a few dragon-flies were hovering in the bright sunshine.
Briest sat speechless, drumming on the tea-tray.
"Please don't drum, I had rather you would talk."
"Ah, Luise, what shall I say? My drumming says quite enough. You have
known for over a year what I think about it. At the time when
Innstetten's letter came, a flash from a clear sky, I was of your
opinion. But that was half an eternity ago. Am I to play the grand
inquisitor till the end of my days? I tell you, I have had my fill of
it for a long time."
"Don't reproach me, Briest. I love her as much as you, perhaps more;
each in his own way. But it is not our only purpose in life to be weak
and affectionate and to tolerate things that are contrary to the law
and the commandments, things that men condemn, and in the present
instance rightly."
"Hold on! One thing comes first."
"Of course, one thing comes first; but what is the one thing?"
"The love of parents for their children, especially when they have
only one child."
"Then good-by catechism, morality, and the claims of 'society.
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