I have heard him speak many times, dear lady, and have admired equally the sincerity of his convictions and his naïve faith in human nature. But I cannot comprehend the influence he exerts. MRS. SCHWARTZE. You will find it out. He is so plain and simple that one hardly realizes what a man he is. He brings every one round. VON KELLER. I am almost converted already, dear lady. SCHWARTZE. As for us here, all I can do is to give these weak and useless hands to help on the great work. It's only right that an old soldier should dedicate the little strength left him by the throne to the service of the altar. Those are the two causes to fight for. VON KELLER. That's a great thought! SCHWARTZE. Thanks, thanks, but no more of this. Ah, ten years ago, when they gave me my discharge, I was a devil of a fellow. Max, doesn't my old battalion still tremble at my name? MAX. That they do, uncle. SCHWARTZE. Ah, that is one thing you escape in the civil service,--being laid on the shelf without any fault of your own,--without the shadow of a fault. Then there came a slight stroke of apoplexy. See how my hand trembles now! And what had I to look forward to? It was then that my young friend, Heffterdingt, showed me the way, through work and prayer, to a new youth. Without him I never should have found it. MRS. SCHWARTZE. You mustn't believe all he says, Mr. von Keller. If he didn't always depreciate himself, he would be better thought of in the highest circles. VON KELLER. High and low, madam, everywhere your husband is known and honored. SCHWARTZE. [_Lighting up_.] Indeed? Ah, well, no vanity. No, no, that is the moth that corrupts. MRS. SCHWARTZE. Is it really so wrong to wish for a little honor? VON KELLER. Oh! SCHWARTZE. What is honor? You would call it being led up the room by the governor, or being asked to tea at the castle when the royal family is here. MRS. SCHWARTZE. You know very well that the latter honor has never fallen to my lot. SCHWARTZE. Oh, yes, pardon me. I knew your weak spot. I should have avoided it. MRS. SCHWARTZE. Yes, just think, Councillor, Mrs. Fanny Hirschfeld of the Children's Hospital was invited, and I was not. VON KELLER. [_Deprecatingly_.] Oh! SCHWARTZE. [_Laughing, and stroking her head_.] Ah, the moth that corrupts, the moth that corrupts! [_Enter_ Marie _with the coffee. She bows in a friendly way to_ Von Keller.] Herr von Keller, my daughter--my only daughter.