(_All rise._)

Lothar. (_To_ Kurt, _aside_) Fine! fine!

Kurt. And furthermore, I should like to know by what right you dare make such a request to me in my own house?

Trast. You refuse?

Kurt. Do you still doubt it, Count?

Lothar. (_Aside to him_) More cutting, more cutting.

Trast. (_Aside_) Force--Yes, I doubted it, for I still cherished the slight hope that I was dealing with a man of honor--I beg your pardon--I made a mistake.

Kurt. Sir--that is----

Trast. An insult--yes.

Kurt. Which will be properly dealt with.

Trast. I ask for nothing better.

Kurt. You will hear from me to-morrow.

Trast. To-morrow--So you sleep on a thing like that? I am accustomed to settling such matters at once.

Kurt. (_Chokingly_) Immediately.

Trast. (_Aside_) Thank G.o.d! (_Aloud_) Then we'll go!

Lothar. (_Stepping between_) Always correct, Kurt. You, as princ.i.p.al, have nothing further to do with the gentleman. (_Sharply_) In the first place, Count, the Code of Honor permits the challenged as well as the challenger twenty-four hours in which to arrange his affairs. We, my princ.i.p.al and I--shall make use of this rule, unless--and now I come to the second point--we shall be prevented from enjoying that privilege--for you. Sir, have not insulted us----

Trast. Ah!

Lothar. You belong to those who _cannot_ insult us.

Trast. (_Merrily_) Ah, yes!

Lothar. Will you be kind enough to recall, that the Count von Trast-Saarberg, as we can still see in the register,--on the twenty-fifth of June, 1864, was released, under a cloud, from his regiment, because of unpaid gambling debts. That is all. (_Bows negligently_)

Trast. (_Breaking out into laughter_) Gentlemen, I thank you heartily for the little lesson--I certainly deserved it--for the worst crime under heaven is to be illogical! And one thing I see above everything else. No matter how much a man is elevated above the modern Honor he must still remain her slave, even if it is only when he wants to help a poor devil of a friend out of a hole--Gentlemen, I have the honor-- Pardon! I _haven't_ the honor! You have denied me that; so nothing remains but the pleasure--the pleasure of saying "Good-day," but that is better still! (_He goes out laughing_)

Hugo. Here we are with our honor and still we've made ourselves ridiculous.

Lothar. We acted quite correctly.

Hugo. But, Lothar, the coffee, the coffee.

Lothar. One must be willing to sacrifice for the sake of his Honor, my friend. I am glad I could do you this service, Kurt--What would you have done without me? Well, until to-night.

Kurt. Are you going back to town already?

Lothar. Yes.

Kurt. I'll go with you.

Lothar. Oh, that will look as though you wanted to get away from the n.o.ble brother.

Kurt. What do you mean?

Lothar. Do you want the Count to laugh in his sleeve? Now it has become almost a duty to stay.

Kurt. Hardly that.

Lothar. Your duty, unless you want it thought you are a coward.

(_Enter_ Muhlingk _in a fur coat and hat_, Wilhelm _follows him._)

Muhlingk. (_Throwing his coat to_ Wilhelm) What is that fellow thinking of to try and get into my office?--Good-day, gentlemen--let him send the books to me, then tell him to go to the devil--(Wilhelm _leaves_) Kurt, why are you sneaking away? We've got a little bone to pick, eh?

Kurt. (_Aside to his friends_) Now I'm in for it--Get out now! before the storm!

Hugo. Herr Councillor, we haven't much time----

Muhlingk. Good-day, gentlemen, I regret exceedingly. Good-day.

Lothar. (_Aside_) You tell us how the thing comes out.

(Lothar _and_ Hugo _go out._)

Muhlingk. This time I've cleaned the matter up satisfactorily, and the sacrifice, G.o.d knows, will be put down to your debit. Now for the moral side of the question.

(_Enter_ Frau Muhlingk.)

Kurt. (_Aside_) Here comes the old lady, this will be great.

Frau Muhlingk. Oh, Kurt! Kurt!

Kurt. Yes, Mother?

Frau Muhlingk. (_Sitting_) You have brought a great deal of trouble to your parents. You forced your father to bargain with that rabble.