Sonnenkamp reached him the paper.
"Here—my diploma of nobility," he said, turning round and looking out of the window while Pranken was reading. He did not want to look at the man's countenance.
There was a long-continued silence in the room, and then Sonnenkamp felt a hand upon his shoulder. He turned round quickly. What's the meaning of this? will the haughty young nobleman have a personal struggle with him?
"Herr Sonnenkamp," said Pranken, "I am a nobleman-—-"
"I know—I know. Take your hand off of me, you'll soil it."
"And I am your friend," proceeded Pranken calmly. "I cannot approve of what you have done to provoke such a publication."
"Be brief, I've already heard sermonizing enough to-day."
"Herr Sonnenkamp, I always go counter to the public sentiment; I respect you, notwithstanding, and I love your daughter. I am almost glad that I can show you by a sacrifice how my intention-—-"
"Herr von Pranken, you do not know what you are doing. Your friends, your family-—-"
"I know the whole. Pooh! the virtuous people may let the stones alone which they would willingly throw at us. Whoever merely winks with the eye shall receive my challenge."