f course, his drunken boasts to
take into account, but firstly, Maurice had only retained a hazy idea
of their nature, and, in the next place, the events which had followed
that evening had been of so much greater importance to him that he had
had no thoughts to spare for Ephie--more especially as he then knew
that Schilsky was out of the way. But now the whole affair rose vividly
before his mind again, and in his heart he knew that he had always
believed--just as Louise believed--in Ephie's guilt. No: guilt was too
strong a word. Yet however harmless the flirtation might have been in
itself, it had been carried on in secret, in an underhand way: there
had been nothing straightforward or above-board about it; and this
alone was enough to compromise a young girl.

The Cayhills had been in Leipzig again for three weeks, but so occupied
had Maurice been during this time, that he had only paid them one hasty
call. Now he felt that he must see Ephie at once, not only to secure
her word that she would come out with him, the following day, but also
to read from her frank eyes and childish lips the assurance of her
innocence, or, at least, the impossibility of her guilt.

But as he walked to the LESSINGSTRASSE, he remembered, without being
able to help it, all the trifles which, at one time or another, had
disturbed his relations with Ephie. He recalled each of the thin,
superficial untruths, by means of which she had defended herself, the
day he had met her with Schilsky: it seemed incredible to him now that
he had not seen through them instantly. He called up her pretty,
insincere behaviour with the circle of young men that gathered round
her; the language of signs by which she had conversed with Schilsky in
the theatre. He remembered the astounding ease with which he had made
her acquaintance in the first case, or rather, with which she had made
his. Even the innocent kiss she had once openly incited him to, and on
the score of which she had been so exaggeratedly angry--this, too, was
summoned to bear witness against her. Each of these incidents now
seemed to point to a fatal frivolity, to a levity of character which,
put to a real test, would offer no resistance.

Supper was over in the PENSION, but only Mrs. Cayhill sat in her
accustomed corner. Ephie was with the rest of the boarders in the
general sitting-room, where Johanna conducted Maurice. Boehmer was
paying an evening visit, as well as a very young American, who l