feel as vividly
again as though I were still the boy who went into the wood for you in
search of wild adventures and caught robin-red-breasts. And yet the
fine creature I see before me is so different from my playmate that I
realize I am only dreaming a beautiful dream. Your eyes shine as
kindly as ever, but--(_Bowing_.) I have scarcely the right still to
think of old dreams.

ADELAIDE. Possibly I, too, am not so changed as you think; and changed
though we both be, we have remained good friends, have we not?

BOLZ. Rather than give up one iota of my claim to your regard, I would
write and print and try to sell malicious articles against myself.

ADELAIDE. And yet you have been too proud all this time even to come
and see your friend in town. Why have you broken with the Colonel?

BOLZ. I have not broken with him. On the contrary, I have a very
estimable position in his house--one that I can best keep by going
there as seldom as possible. The Colonel, and occasionally Miss Ida,
too, like to assuage their anger against Oldendorf and the newspaper
by regarding me as the evil one with horns and hoofs. A relationship
so tender must be handled with care--a devil must not cheapen himself
by appearing every day.

ADELAIDE. Well, I hope you will now abandon this lofty viewpoint. I am
spending the winter in town, and I hope that for love of your
boyhood's friend you will call on my friends as a denizen of this
world.

BOLZ. In any role you apportion me.

ADELAIDE. Even in that of a peace-envoy between the Colonel and
Oldendorf?

BOLZ. If peace be at the cost of Oldendorf's withdrawal, then no.
Otherwise I am ready to serve you in all good works.

ADELAIDE. But I fear that this is the only price at which peace can be
purchased. You see, Mr. Conrad, we too have become opponents.

BOLZ. To do anything against your wishes is horrible to me, son of
perdition though I be. So my saint wills and commands that Oldendorf
do not become member of Parliament?

ADELAIDE. I will it and command it, Mr. Devil!

BOLZ. It is hard. Up in your heaven you have so many gentlemen to
bestow on Miss Ida; why must you carry off a poor devil's one and only
soul, the professor?

ADELAIDE. It is just the professor I want, and you must let me have
him.

BOLZ. I am in despair. I would tear my hair were the place not so
unsuitable. I dread your anger. The thought makes me tremble that you
might not like this election.

ADELAIDE. Well, try t