'
'Is it so?' said Otto. 'Why, then, what are we? Are the very best
- '
'There is no best in man,' said Gotthold. 'I am not better, it is
likely I am not worse, than you or that poor sleeper. I was a sham,
and now you know me: that is all.'
'And yet it has not changed my love,' returned Otto softly. 'Our
misdeeds do not change us. Gotthold, fill your glass. Let us drink
to what is good in this bad business; let us drink to our old
affection; and, when we have done so, forgive your too just grounds
of offence, and drink with me to my wife, whom I have so misused,
who has so misused me, and whom I have left, I fear, I greatly fear,
in danger. What matters it how bad we are, if others can still love
us, and we can still love others?'
'Ay!' replied the Doctor. 'It is very well said. It is the true
answer to the pessimist, and the standing miracle of mankind. So
you still love me? and so you can forgive your wife? Why, then, we
may bid conscience "Down, dog," like an ill-trained puppy yapping at
shadows.'
The pair fell into silence, the Doctor tapping on his empty glass.
The carriage swung forth out of the valleys on that open balcony of
high-road that runs along the front of Grunewald, looking down on
Gerolstein. Far below, a white waterfall was shining to the stars
from the falling skirts of forest, and beyond that, the night stood
naked above the plain.
Pages:
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235