This was more than a fit of temper. It means a breach between us two--a breach that seems to me beyond healing. ADELAIDE. Beyond healing, Professor! If your sentiments toward Ida are what I think they are, healing is not so difficult. Would it not be fitting for you even now--especially now--to accede to the father's wishes. Does not the woman you love deserve that, for once at least, you sacrifice your ambition! OLDENDORF. My ambition, yes; my duty, no. ADELAIDE. Your own happiness, Professor, seems to me to be ruined for a long time, possibly forever, if you part from Ida in this way. OLDENDORF (_gloomily_). Not every one can be happy in his private life. ADELAIDE. This resignation does not please me at all, least of all in a man. Pardon me for saying so, plainly. (_Ingratiatingly_.) Is the misfortune so great if you become member for this town a few years later, or even not at all? OLDENDORF. Miss Runeck, I am not conceited. I do not rate my abilities very high, and, as far as I know myself, there is no ambitious impulse lurking at the bottom of my heart. Possibly, as you do now, so a later age will set a low estimate on our political wrangling, our party aims, and all that that includes. Possibly all our labor will be without result; possibly much of the good we hope to do will, when achieved, turn out to be the opposite--yes, it is highly probable that my own share in the struggle will often be painful, unedifying, and not at all what you would call a grateful task; but all that must not keep me from devoting my life to the strife and struggle of the age to which I belong. That struggle, after all, is the best and noblest that the present has to offer. Not every age permits its sons to achieve results which remain great for all time; and, I repeat, not every age can make those who live in it distinguished and happy. ADELAIDE. I think every age can accomplish that if the individuals will only understand how to be great and happy. [_Rising_.] You, Professor, will do nothing for your own little home-happiness. You force your friends to act for you. [Illustration: Permission F. Bruckmann, A.-G. Munich IN THE BEERGARDEN Adolph von Menzel] OLDENDORF. At all events cherish as little anger against me as possible, and speak a good word for me to Ida. ADELAIDE. I shall set my woman's wits to aiding you, Mr. Statesman. [_Exit_ OLDENDORF.] ADELAIDE (_alone_). So this is one of the noble, scholarly, free spirits of the German nation! And he climbs into the fire from a sheer sense of duty! But to conquer anything--the world, happiness, or even a wife--for that he never was made! _Enter_ CARL. CARL (_announcing_). Dr. Bolz! ADELAIDE. Ah! He at least will be no such paragon of virtue!--Where is the Colonel? CARL. In Miss Ida's room. ADELAIDE. Show the gentleman in here. [_Exit_ CARL.] I feel somewhat embarrassed at seeing you again, Mr. Bolz; I shall take pains to conceal it. _Enter_ BOLZ. BOLZ.