"You are free, as you have been allowed to purchase your discharge."
"Good heavens!" the poet stammered, "how am I to ..."
"That is already done," the General replied. "You are free."
"How is it possible? How can I thank your Excellency!"
"You owe me no thanks," he replied; "Frau von Kubinyi bought you out."
The poor poet's heart seemed to stop; he could not speak, nor even stammer a word; but with a low bow, he rushed out and tore wildly through the streets, until he reached the mansion of the woman whom he had so misunderstood, quite out of breath; he must see her again, and throw himself at her feet.
"Where are you going to?" the porter asked him.
"To Frau von Kubinyi's."
"She is not here."
"Not here?"