"And are you in earnest about it?" asked Wegen.
"If I shall not bury myself in my solitude, if I would live again, it must be, or become earnest with me. First I will examine my own feelings, and then the love and character of the beautiful woman who once again with her snares enters into my life."
"I advise you to examine all carefully," said Wegen.
"That will I, but without social prejudice; my happiness does not depend upon the world; but how are you getting on? Cäcilie has returned from her Italian journey; I have just seen her."
Wegen looked at his cup of chocolate with a certain amount of embarrassment.
"You have surely been refused?" said Blanden.
"Oh, no, not so, but--" said Wegen, disconsolately.
"Well, at least you have had time to consider it well."
"You know that previously to the Italian journey, Cäcilie was with a friend, a lady who owns property in our neighbourhood. I visited her frequently, my mother and sister also made her acquaintance. She was considered to be a marvel of cleverness, with whom every lady in the district felt uncomfortable; they could not be cordial to her, she had no feelings. That was the commencement, my mother and sister joined in the verdict. I stood alone with my good opinion of the girl."
"Which you defended stoutly, though?"