‘How did you dare to impose upon me in such a way?’ he cried angrily.
‘No one ever speaks to me of daring,’ answered Rex, who seemed quite unmoved. ‘I dare do most things, because I have nothing to lose but a little money, my good name of Rex, and my life. As for my not calling myself Rieseneck, I have not imposed upon you any more than upon any one else, by doing so. My father calls himself Rex, and I have never been known by any other appellation.’
‘But you should have told me—’
‘Doubtless, and so I have. It is true that I have chosen my own time, and that I have allowed myself the pleasure of knowing you before disclosing my identity. You would have refused to have anything to do with me had you known who I was. After all, you are the only relation I have in the world, and I have asked you for nothing, nor ever shall. I learned that you were a student here, and I came to Schwarzburg expressly to meet you. I noted your usual seat at the lecture where we met, and I put myself next to you with the intention of making your acquaintance. Now I have told you everything. You are at liberty to know me or not, henceforth. You prefer not to know me. Is it so? Well, I have done you no injury. Good-bye. I wish you good luck.’
Thereupon Rex took up his hat and with a slight inclination of the head went towards the door. His stony eyes did not turn to Greif, who might have seen in them a strangely pained expression, which would have surprised him. Greif hesitated between his sincere friendship for Rex and his horror of any one so closely connected with Rieseneck. It was very hard to choose the right course with so little preparation, and he was thrown off his balance by the sudden disclosure. But his natural generosity, combined with an undefinable attraction he felt towards the man, overcame all other considerations.
‘Rex!’ he called out, as his friend was already passing through the doorway.
Rex stopped and stood still where he was, turning his head so that he could see Greif.
‘Stay,’ said Greif almost involuntarily. ‘We cannot part company in this way.’
‘If it must be at all, it were best that it were done quickly,’ answered Rex, holding the handle of the door.
‘It must not be done,’ returned Greif in a decided tone. ‘If I am attached to you, it is for what you are, not for what your father was, or is.’