The songs and recitations came to an end at two o'clock, and now the fun waxed fast and furious and transgressed all limits. Everyone tussled, kissed, drank, picked quarrels, and fought duels. Lovers pretended to stab themselves and were carried out lifeless. The cannons fired off crackers. Outside the different arbours orations were held by various guests. One by a dainty youth in a Greek costume hired from a paid model, delivered in a high falsetto, dealt with pseudo-physiological problems. Into the arbour of "Monstrosities" some one had pushed the beery Philistine landlord and his corpulent wife, where they kissed and caressed each other to order, in full view of the company, who applauded vociferously. Lilly's head went round; it all buzzed, screeched, and hammered in her brain like an agonising nightmare. "We had better go now," Herr Dehnicke's voice urge behind her. She rose to her feet and stretched herself with a shudder. This had been life, life---- She followed him out, and at the top of the stairs Herr Kellermann, who had observed their going, came running after them. His collar hung open and limp above his velvet lounge jacket, his cheeks were glazed and puffy. He looked like young Falstaff. He exchanged a glance with Dehnicke, who nodded as much as to say, "It went off very well," and then disappeared in search of her wraps. "And how about the chained beauty?" asked Herr Kellermann, turning to Lilly. "Have you quite forgotten her? "Quite," replied Lilly, with a languid smile. "And you'll never come?" "Never!" "But I tell you that you will come," he said, leading her to the side of the staircase. "You will come when the chains have cut into your flesh and you don't know----" Dehnicke returned with the wraps, and he said no more. Lilly was in far too happy and complacent a mood to attribute any significance to these words, which in the mouth of this bacchic faun sounded like a joke. She simply laughed at him and passed on. * * * * * Her excited brain quieted down; she leaned against her friend's shoulder as they descended the stairs, airily swung her hips, and hummed to herself. The whole world seemed melting in a soft fragrant harmonious twilight. Fresh snow had fallen and the moon was shining. Dehnicke's carriage was waiting for them. "Let us drive to the Tiergarten," said Lilly, drinking in her fill of the snow-laden air. She threw herself back on the cushions of the _coupe_ sang and beat time with her feet on the floor. He sat silently in his corner and looked out of the window. "Do say something," she implored. "I have nothing to say," he said, and studiously looked beyond her with his red, bleary eyes. The carriage rolled noiselessly along under the snow-covered trees, which every now and then sent down a shower of silvery stars on to their laps. A drowsy lethargy came over her.