And so it was.

Ellida.

Yes, yes; I do not doubt it, dear. That is not why I speak of it now. I only want to remind you that I, on my side, was frank with you. I told you quite openly that I had once in my life cared for some one else. That it had come to—a sort of betrothal between us.

Wangel.

A sort of——?

Ellida.

Yes, something of the kind. Well, it lasted only a very short time. He went away; and afterwards I broke it off. All this I told you.

Wangel.

But, dear Ellida, why go back upon all this? After all, it did not really concern me. I have never even asked you who he was.

Ellida.