"You told me a year ago that you owed nothing."
"It was true, but--I am ashamed to confess my folly--I was insane enough to be tempted to play. I fell in with some of my comrades the day before yesterday in Berlin, and cards were proposed. I refused for a long time to join the game, but I was overpersuaded. At first the stakes were very low, and I won, but the luck changed, I lost my head, and I came away with a debt of honour for three thousand marks. If it is not paid in fourteen days I shall be dishonoured."
"You are dishonoured already, even though your debt were paid; you promised me never again to touch a card."
"I was mad! I was mad!"
"Your word of honour should have kept you sane. But I shall not depart from what I told you a year ago. You have no help to expect from me."
"At least lend me the three thousand marks. You can easily do so; you have ten thousand there in your desk; the trifling sum can readily be paid from my salary in two years at the latest."
"That cannot be done, either; you must learn to help yourself."
"You drive me to suicide."
"That threat is useless. It will not move me to break my word to you."
An evil look was the Lieutenant's only reply; he saw that further entreaty would be of no avail. There was no need, then, to subject himself to further humiliation. The expression of despair in his face gave place to one of sullen defiance. Without another word he left the room.