_Magda._ I've painted this meeting to myself a thousand times, and have been prepared for it for years. Something warned me, too, when I undertook this journey home--though I must say I hardly expected just here to--Yes, how is it that, after what has passed between us, you came into this house? It seems to me a little-- ... I can see it all. The effort to keep worthy of respect under such difficulties, with a bad conscience, is awkward. You look down from the height of your pure atmosphere on your sinful youth,--for you are called a pillar, my dear friend. _Von Keller._ Well, I felt myself called to higher things. I thought--Why should I undervalue my position? I have become Councillor, and that comparatively young. An ordinary ambition might take satisfaction in that. But one sits and waits at home, while others are called to the ministry. And this environment, conventionality, and narrowness, all is so gray,--gray! And the ladies here--for one who cares at all about elegance--I assure you something rejoiced within me when I read this morning that you were the famous singer,--you to whom I was tied by so many dear memories and-- _Magda._ And then you thought whether it might not be possible with the help of these dear memories to bring a little color into the gray background? _Von Keller._ Oh, pray don't-- _Magda._ Well, between old friends-- _Von Keller._ Really, are we that, really? _Magda._ Certainly, _sans rancune_. Oh, if I took it from the other standpoint, I should have to range the whole gamut,--liar, coward, traitor! But as I look at it, I owe you nothing but thanks, my friend. _Von Keller._ This is a view which-- _Magda._ Which is very convenient for you. But why should I not make it convenient for you? In the manner in which we met, you had no obligations towards me. I had left my home; I was young and innocent, hot-blooded and careless, and I lived as I saw others live. I gave myself to you because I loved you. I might perhaps have loved anyone who came in my way. That--that seemed to be all over. And we were so happy,--weren't we?... Yes, we were a merry set; and when the fun had lasted half a year, one day my lover vanished. _Von Keller._ An unlucky chance, I swear to you. My father was ill. I had to travel. I wrote everything to you.