“Thrine,” I began, after an effective pause, “I begin to understand that we must part! You knew me in happy days of yore, do not forget me now when sorrow is breaking in upon me. One service I would ask of you before parting, it is the last. Do me the favour to accept the “Neuhochdeutschen Parnass” as a token of remembrance from me. You always need paper to clean the windows, I know. Fare-thee-well, Thrine!” I was left alone with my anguish. Dishonoured, I cried, dishonoured! Misunderstood, indicted! How different was it, oh _Kleinstädter_, when you glided innocently through the pages of the _Salon_ in the company of better wits than Minckwitz! Johannes turns from me, and “Wo ich ihn nicht gab, Ist mir das Grab.” So “The Death of a Youthful Hero” did not flow from the pen of the great poet! Never was I more surprised than over this discovery. I am to stand before the jury; I shall be condemned to dishonourable penalties--in a word, like the knapsack of the lieutenant, I am _perdu_. The _Kleinstädter_ before the jury? Since I have heard that in the “Lawyer Hamlet” the jury are brought upon the stage to do nothing at all, I have a very clear impression of this horrible situation. In this “Lawyer Hamlet,” which, by the way, has been very scantily advertised (indeed scarce thirty papers devoted more than five columns to a detailed account of the piece), there is a certain Baron von Sonne who defends all poor people, and takes this opportunity of speechifying on various topics. This Baron von Sonne is the man for me; I shall turn to him in my extremity. And as I need not fear that the unknown author of “Lawyer Hamlet” will impeach me for misuse of his name--a guilt which he himself has been careful to avoid--I will herewith give the last act of the play, that is to say, the last act as it would have read if the accused had been the _Kleinstädter_ instead of Stella. Here goes then-- LAWYER HAMLET. FOURTH ACT. (_The court-room. At the left the benches of the jury. In the middle a table for the judge. At the right two small tables for the Crown solicitor and for the defendant. To the front a bench for the accused. As the curtain rises the judges are seen to enter. The jurymen take the seats appointed. The Kleinstädter, with his hands and feet securely fettered, is dragged into the room by gens d’armes. The defendant, Lawyer Hamlet, exchanges some words with the accused. The court solicitor breathes revenge._) FIRST AND LAST SCENE. _Chairman Lehmann._ I request the audience to remain quiet; at the first signs of applause or displeasure all persons occupying the gallery will be turned out. The accused will rise from his seat. (_The Kleinstädter rises, his chains clash, the audience shudders._) What is your name? (_The Kleinstädter looks perplexed, and does not reply._) Do you hear what I say? I asked you what your name is? _The Accused_ (_greatly embarrassed_). Oh, Mr. Chairman----