of the house, who during the
last scene had not turned her eyes from the speaker, noticed anything
unusual in Edwin's hasty movement.

"Allow me to introduce the gentlemen to each other," said the princess,
glad of an interruption to the embarrassing scene; "Herr Vicar
Lorenzen--"

"No introduction is necessary, Princess," interrupted Edwin with a
trembling voice. "This gentleman, although he seems about to deny it,
is only too well known to me; so well known in fact, that I'll give up
my place in this circle to him, without farther ceremony, and take
leave of the company for to-day."

"But Doctor!" cried Gaston, who had no idea of the cause of this
strange scene, "the philosophy which, without striking a single blow,
leaves the field to theology--"

"If my innocent remarks about German artists in general and your
father-in-law in particular, which were not intended to give offence,
are driving you away, I'm perfectly ready to make the _amende
honorable_," said Prince Bataroff, as he quietly stroked his beard and
glanced at the countess. "You have a tongue like a sword, Herr Doctor,
and I should think, after you've so bravely parried my assault, we
might conclude an honorable peace."

"I thank you for your friendly words, Prince," replied Edwin, "and
accept the peace unreservedly. If, nevertheless, I leave the table, it
is because it goes against my nature to sit beside a person whom I
believe--about whom I have my own opinion. Pray do not take this little
weakness amiss. It will only serve to show the princess how unfounded
was her supposition that a man must always possess cool blood to be a
philosopher." He cast a glance of icy scorn at Lorinser, and bowed to
the remainder of the party, carefully avoiding the countess' eyes.

"_C'est drole!_" said Bataroff, and he whispered something in the ear
of the princess. She did not seem to hear it. Her laughing face had
suddenly grown rigid with terror and was suffused with a crimson flush.
The master of the house rose.

"Herr Doctor," said he in an irritated tone.

"Will the Herr Count permit _me_ to ask this gentleman to explain why
he insults a peaceful guest of this noble house?" interrupted Lorinser
without the slightest token of agitation; "unless a sudden attack of
madness--"

"Unfortunately, I have still perfect control of my senses," replied
Edwin cuttingly, "and no one can more deeply regret that in return for
the hospitality which I have enjoyed in this