"My dear Helene," he said, struck serious. "I am entirely free in regard to the Countess, as she is long since as regards me. Of course she will, at the first shock, feel opposed to my marriage with a distinguished young girl on the same intellectual level as herself. That is human, feminine, natural. But when she knows you she will adore you, and you will repay her in kind, since she is my second mother. You do not understand her. The dear Countess desires no other happiness than to see me happy."
"And therefore," said Helene cynically, "she will warn you to beware. She will hunt up all my offences against holy German morals—"
"I don't care what she hunts up. All I ask is, be a monotheist henceforwards."
"Now you are asking me to become a Jewess."
"I ask you only to become my wife."
He caught her hands passionately. His eyes seemed to drink her in. She fluttered, enjoying her bird-like helplessness.
"Turn your eyes away, my royal eagle!"
"You are mine! you are mine!" he cried.
"I am my father's—I am Janko's," she panted.
"They are shadows. Listen to yourself. Be true to yourself."