He confronted his antagonist erect and very pale. Something in the man commanded respect, even as he thus repelled the imputation which his conduct had ostensibly deserved. Ernst could not but feel that his rival bore himself with dignity, hard as it was to admit it.
"You adopt a lofty tone," said Waltenberg, with a sneer. "'Tis a pity your betrothed is not here; in her presence there might not be so much conscious rectitude in your manner."
"I am no longer betrothed," Wolfgang coldly declared.
Waltenberg retreated a step in extreme amazement.
"What--what do you mean?"
"I simply inform you of a fact to show you that the cause for the imputation with which you would insult me exists no longer, for I was the one to withdraw from the engagement."
"When? For what reason?" The questions were put hurriedly.
"On these points I owe you no explanation."
"I am not so sure of that, for here, as it seems to me, you are reckoning upon my magnanimity. You are mistaken. I never will release Erna; and she herself, as I know, will never ask her release at my hands. She does not make a promise to-day to break it to-morrow, and she is far too proud to give herself to a man who preferred wealth to her love."
"Pray cease your attempts to use the old weapon: it has lost its point," Elmhorst said, sternly. "Born and bred in the very lap of luxury as you were, ignorant of all self-denial, what can you know of the struggles and efforts of one longing to rise, consumed by ambition to win recognition for himself, to attain a great goal? I yielded to temptation, yes; but I have delivered my soul now, and can bid defiance to your boasted virtue. You too would have succumbed if life had denied you fortune and happiness,--you first of all,--and it may be you would not have fought your way free as I have, for, by heaven! the struggle is no easy one."