"You are an extraordinary young idealist," the colonel had said to him
not long before; Reimers began to think so too. Concerning a woman
whose favours were to be bought, one might think as did Landsberg; but
not concerning a lady of social standing. It never occurred to him to
think whether Frau von Gropphusen was or was not high-bosomed; he only
knew that she was lovely.

He would dearly have liked to knock down that reptile Landsberg. But
that would only have caused a scandal, which, for the dear woman's
sake, must not be.

He avoided her somewhat. No one should speak ill of her on his account.
He absented himself from the tennis-ground, and when he appeared there
did not play exclusively with her.

Hannah Gropphusen felt crushed. She did not understand him. What matter
if the gossips did amuse themselves at her expense? And with
falsehoods, too! She was used to it, and had a sufficiently thick skin
not to feel the stings of such insects. Was he going to turn from her
for such a reason as this? From her, who would gladly have thrown
herself at his feet, saying, "Leave me your love; I only live through
you"?

A choking sob clutched at her throat. In order not to feel herself
utterly overcome, she went to all the biggest parties, and mingled in
the gayest company. She would be talkative and noisy, merely to make
him aware of her presence. A wild desire seized her to make him notice
her at any cost, even at the risk of wounding him; yes, she wished to
wound him.

She flirted outrageously; uttering in shrill, tremulous tones loathsome
things which were monstrous in her mouth.

One evening she lingered on the recreation-ground with Reimers and
Landsberg, to the latter of whom she, by preference, directed her
unnatural merriment during this miserable period--just because she knew
that Reimers hated him. And the booby Landsberg was deeply flattered by
it.

They were resting a little before turning homewards. Landsberg had
thrown himself down on the grass, and was gazing fixedly upwards.

Reimers disapproved of the attitude, thinking it too cavalier
altogether, and glowered at him. Unintentionally he followed the
direction of his brother-officer's gaze.

Hannah von Gropphusen had seated herself upon a chair, carelessly
crossing her legs so that the grey silk stockings were visible from
ankle to knee. Presently she became conscious of Landsberg's regard;
she moved disdainfully, and slowly rearranged her skirt.