contraction in his heart at the question, he
hesitated with the answer, but, his better self finally getting the
victory, he said: "Then all is over. The impressions of a dream;
however delightful, must not influence a waking man. My father's
calculation was wrong, and I have wasted my kindness on an undeserving
object."

So completely wrapt up was he in his meditations that he heard not a
word of the speeches, not even the concluding remarks of the president.
Greifmann's approach roused him, and they left the hall together.

"That was ruffianly conduct, of which progress would have for ever to
be ashamed," said the banker indignantly, "They bayed and yelped like a
pack of hounds. At their first volley I was as embarrassed and confused
as a modest girl would be at the impertinence of some young scapegrace.
Fierce rage then hurried me to the platform, and my words have never
done better service, for they vindicated civilization."

"I cannot conceive how a trifle could thus exasperate you."

Greifmann stood still and looked at his companion in astonishment.

"A trifle!" echoed he reproachfully. "Do you call a piece of wanton
impudence, a ruffianly outrage against several hundreds of men entitled
to respect, a trifle?

"I do, compared with other crimes that you have suffered to pass
unheeded and uncensured," answered Gerlach. "You had not an indignant
word for the unutterable meanness of those three leaders, who were
immoral and unprincipled enough to invest a notorious villain with
office and honors. Nor did you show any exasperation at the brutal
terrorism practised by men of power in this town over their weak and
unfortunate dependents."

"Take my advice, and be on your guard against erroneous and
narrow-minded judgments. The leaders merely had a view to their own
ends, but they in no manner sinned against propriety. The raising a man
of Shund's abilities to the office of mayor is an act of prudence--by
no means an offence against humanity."

"Yet it was an outrage to moral sentiment," opposed Seraphin.

"See here, Gerlach, moral sentiment is a very elastic sort of thing.
Sentiment goes for nothing in practical life, and such is the character
of life in our century."

"Well, then, the mere sense of propriety is not worth a whit more."

"I ask your pardon! Propriety belongs to the realm of actualities or of
practical experiences, and not to the shadowland of sentiment.
Propriety is the rule that regulates t