The veins in Landolin's forehead swelled in anger, but the lady looked steadily into his face as though he were a wild animal that could be tamed by a firm, unwavering look. His eyelids rose and fell quickly, his tightly compressed lips quivered, and his hand that lay on the table clenched nervously. "I know what you want to say," said the lady, quickly; "you have a right to do so: only say right out that I must leave your house; that I had no right to force myself into your home, or into your heart. Only say it, and I will go." "No, stay. You are a brave woman, I must say. I should not have thought it possible, never,--a woman! Speak without fear. From such a woman as you I will hear anything. I think there can be but one such as you in the world." The lady blushed, and for hardly longer than a thought takes the flattery disconcerted her, and seemed to turn her from her course. Landolin perceived this momentary confusion, and smiled triumphantly. "After all, she's only a woman, and, like every woman, can be bought with dress and praise!" Controlling herself quickly, the lady resumed, with a tone that came from her inmost soul: "Landolin, men are put in the world together that one may help another----" "I see nothing of it. Nobody troubles himself about his neighbors," interrupted Landolin. Did you ever do otherwise yourself? Did you formerly concern yourself about others? the lady wanted to say; but she was quick-witted enough to suppress that, and replied instead: "You have a right to be bitter against the world." Landolin looked at her in astonishment. He felt something of that mild art of healing which does not try to soften sorrow by denying it and covering it over, but by recognizing it in its reality and importance. "Thank you," said Landolin, "but I have taken advantage of that right. The world is nothing to me, and I am nothing to the world." "May I ask a question?" "Why not?" "Then tell me if the misfortune, or accident, in this poor fellow's case had happened, not to you, but to Titus, to the Oberbauer, or to Tobelurban, would Landolin of Reutershoefen have acted differently toward him?" Landolin shrugged his shoulders and whistled softly. He followed her through the first, second, even the third thought, but at the fourth he stopped, and, like a balking horse, was not to be moved from the spot. With an encouraging smile the lady said: "I will answer for you. 'Yes, Madam Pfann; I should have acted toward the others just as they have acted toward me.'" Landolin nodded. "You are sharp; you cut one through and through." "Very well; then do not be so timid and afraid." "I afraid? Of what?" "Of your own thoughts. Within Landolin there are two Landolins, and one of them wants to cast out the other. And now I want to say, don't turn away the only one who can help you." "Nobody can help me."