And how did you fare? We have heard so little of you here. You might really have written me a little more frequently and fully. For you know, of course, that I care a great deal more for you than for most other people. We have such a knack of giving each other the right cue--don't you think? There are sentimental people who speak of such a relation as friendship. And it is not impossible that we used to address each other by our Christian names some time during the last century, or that you may even have wept your fill on my shoulder. I have missed you more than once during these two years--honestly! On my lonely walks I have quite frequently thought of our pleasant chats in the Dornbach park, where we were in the habit of disposing temporarily of (_quoting_) "what is most lofty and profound in this our world."--Well, Julian, from where do you come anyhow? JULIAN From the Tyrol? During the Summer I made long tours on foot. I have even turned mountain climber in my old days. I spent a whole week at one of those pasturing grounds in the Alps.... Yes, I have been up to all sorts of things. It's a wonder what you can do when you are all alone. SALA And you have really been all alone? JULIAN Yes. SALA All these last years? JULIAN If I don't count a few nonsensical interruptions--yes. SALA But there should have been no difficulty in that respect. JULIAN I know. But I cannot rest satisfied with what is still offered me of that kind of thing. I have been badly spoiled, Sala. Up to a certain period my life passed away in a constant orgy of tenderness and passion, and of power, you might say. And that is all over. Oh, Sala, what pitiful fictions I have had to steal, and beg, and buy, during these last years! It gives me nausea to look back at it, and it horrifies me to look ahead. And I ask myself: can there really be nothing left of all that glow with which I once embraced the world but a sort of silly wrath because it's all over--because I--_I_--am no less subject to human laws than anybody else? SALA Why all this bitterness, Julian? There is still a great deal to be had out of this world, even when some of the pleasures and enjoyments of our earlier years have begun to appear tasteless or unseemly. And how can you, of all people, miss that feeling, Julian? JULIAN Snatch his part from an actor and ask him if he can still take pleasure in the beautiful scenery surrounding him. SALA But you have begun to work again while you were traveling? JULIAN Hardly at all. SALA Felix told us that you had brought some sketches from your trunk in order to show him. JULIAN He spoke of them? SALA Yes, and nothing but good. JULIAN Really? SALA And as you showed those things to him, you must have thought rather well of them yourself. JULIAN That was not the reason why I let him see them. (_Walking back and forth_) I must tell you--at the risk of having you think me a perfect fool. SALA