Jean almost shouted, "Yes." The servants stopped to listen, in passing round the sweets. He went on: "I find your attempt bad in itself, because it is a repression of consciences; but I also find that it is clumsy, even from a German point of view." "Charming," said the little falsetto of Madame Knäpple. "You should have the interest to keep what originality and independence remains to us. It would be a useful example to Germany." "Thanks," said a voice. "And more and more useful," insisted the young man. "I was educated in Germany and I am sure of my contention. What struck me most, and shocked me, is the want of personality in Germans, their increasing forgetfulness of liberty, their effacement before the power of----" "Take care, young man!" interrupted the Geheimrath quickly. "I shall say before the power of Prussia, Geheimrath, which devours consciences, and which allows only three types of men to live, and these she has moulded from childhood--taxpayers, officials, and soldiers." From the end of the table one of the students rose from his chair: "The Roman Empire did the same, and it was the Roman Empire!" A vibrating voice near him cried: "Bravo!" All the guests looked up. It was Wilhelm von Farnow, who had said only this one word since the beginning of the discussion. The violence of the debate had irritated him like a personal provocation. It had excited others. Herr Rosenblatt clenched his fists. Professor Knäpple muttered stormy sentences as he wiped his spectacles. His wife laughed nervously. Then the beautiful Madame Rosenblatt, letting her pearl necklace run through her fingers, smiled, and looking pleasantly at the Alsatian, said: "M. Oberlé has at least the courage of his opinions. No one could be more openly against us." Jean felt far too irritated to answer pleasantly. He looked intently at the faces of Fincken, Rosenblatt, and Knäpple, at the student who was moving restlessly near Lucienne, and then leaning slightly towards Madame Rosenblatt, said: "It is only through the women that the German nation can acquire the refinement which is wanting, madame. Germany has some accomplished women." "Thank you for us!" answered three men's voices. Madame Knäpple, furious at the compliment paid to Madame Rosenblatt, said: "What is your scheme then, sir, for shaking off the yoke of Germany?" "I have none." "Then what do you ask for?" "Nothing, madame; I suffer." It was one of the Alsatian artists, the painter with the yellow beard, who looked like one of Giotto's pupils, who continued the conversation, and all the table turned towards him.