"Do not profane the word _friend_," Delmar replied, sternly. "I never honoured you with my friendship, as you well know. I never concealed my contempt for you. I bought you with my money. It amused me for a while to be introduced to certain exclusive aristocratic circles which were closed to me in spite of my wealth. I made use of you for this purpose. When you presented me everywhere as your dearest friend, you knew perfectly well why you did so. I never said one word to you that could justify you in calling me your friend. But of what use are these explanations? They are entirely unnecessary between us. I ask now, are you willing to make the humble--I repeat the word--humble apology which I require, outside, beneath the awning? Decide quickly. I can give you no more time." "If I do so, will you promise me to show no one my note and the check?" "I will promise you nothing, except that in the case of your refusing to comply with my demand I will show both publicly." "But by so doing you will destroy all chance of my ever paying you. You will lose ten thousand thalers." "Which you never will pay in any case while you live!" Delmar replied, with a smile of contempt. "Which I certainly will pay, and that shortly. I have been betrothed to-day to Eva Schommer." "Indeed? I congratulate you. I never had an exalted opinion of the lady, but I should not have thought she would have chosen exactly such a husband." "You see now that I can pay my debt as soon as I am married to the heiress, but if you ruin me----" "You will be sent to jail as a forger, and will never refund the money which I once foolishly lent you and which I considered lost long ago. True, but that is a matter of entire indifference to me. I require you to obey me! Make up your mind! Do you hesitate? Well then your fate is decided!" Delmar turned towards the door, but Bertram seized his hand, and cried in a tone of entreaty, "Have pity upon me! Do not ruin me! I will do what you ask,--only let me make the apology in a less humiliating form!" "Not a word shall be changed. I insist upon a humble apology!" "I will make it, but let me add that my betrothed has requested me to do so publicly." Delmar laughed aloud. "A request as modest as it is extraordinary. For the sake of its oddity I will grant it." Bertram's face, as he returned beneath the awning, followed by Delmar, was ashy pale, and there was a strange flitter in his eyes, but his demeanour was calm and composed. He stepped up to Colonel von Heydeck, who was awaiting his return with the utmost impatience. "Colonel von Heydeck," he began in a low voice. "Louder," said Delmar. Bertram obeyed; he raised his voice so that it could be heard by most of those present. "It is my duty as a man of honour, Colonel von Heydeck, to atone for a wrong committed in my haste this morning, and this is the more incumbent upon me, as I have been earnestly entreated by my betrothed, Fräulein Eva Schommer, to do so."