"You have heard what I require of you, Herr von Bertram," Delmar began the short interview. "I advise you to comply immediately, or you will force me to produce a certain worthless note, in which you promise to pay upon your word of honour, and to prove that you have broken that word by showing a certain check, bearing the signature of Count Waldheim, which I should like to have him verify."
"What have I done, Delmar, to provoke you to treat a friend with such cruelty?" Bertram asked, in despair.
"Do not profane the word friend," Delmar replied, sternly. "I never honoured you with my friendship, as you well know. I never concealed my contempt for you. I bought you with my money. It amused me for a while to be introduced to certain exclusive aristocratic circles which were closed to me in spite of my wealth. I made use of you for this purpose. When you presented me everywhere as your dearest friend, you knew perfectly well why you did so. I never said one word to you that could justify you in calling me your friend. But of what use are these explanations? They are entirely unnecessary between us. I ask now, are you willing to make the humble--I repeat the word--humble apology which I require, outside, beneath the awning? Decide quickly. I can give you no more time."
"If I do so, will you promise me to show no one my note and the check?"
"I will promise you nothing, except that in the case of your refusing to comply with my demand I will show both publicly."
"But by so doing you will destroy all chance of my ever paying you. You will lose ten thousand thalers."
"Which you never will pay in any case while you live!" Delmar replied, with a smile of contempt.
"Which I certainly will pay, and that shortly. I have been betrothed to-day to Eva Schommer."
"Indeed? I congratulate you. I never had an exalted opinion of the lady, but I should not have thought she would have chosen exactly such a husband."
"You see now that I can pay my debt as soon as I am married to the heiress, but if you ruin me----"