others. It, however, seemed to draw Paul Haber nearer to
him. He avoided talking on the subject, but every one noticed the quiet
way in which he behaved to Wilhelm, his little attentions, his long and
frequent visits, as if he were under the impression that he must
console his friend in this great misfortune, and stand by him as firmly
as possible. Wilhelm knew him as he did himself--how cautious and
practically clever he was, and how dangerous it was for him in his own
position as Reserve officer to keep up this confidential intercourse
with one who had been turned from a hero to a judicially dismissed
officer, how perilous for the connection he had with celebrated and
influential people, and for the appearance he must keep up in society.
Wilhelm valued and appreciated all Paul's heroism in remaining so true
and stanch to him, he did not ask for these things, but they were
freely given by one who ran the risk of becoming poor, so he was deeply
grateful to him.

He considered himself under an obligation to go once more to the
Ellrichs', to formally take leave of them; but when he rang at their
door he was told that the family had gone away to Heringsdorf. As this
had occurred, Paul did not think it necessary to tell his friend what
he had heard through Fraulein Marker, namely, that the Ellrichs were
very angry about the affair of the duel, and had given orders before
they went away that Wilhelm was not to be admitted if he called.
Wilhelm now wrote to Loulou (he had avoided doing so earlier), a short,
dignified letter, in which he begged her forgiveness for having been so
long in finding out the state of his feelings, as the struggle had been
hard and painful, but he could now no longer conceal the fact that
their characters were not sufficiently in harmony to insure happiness
together for a lifetime. He thanked her for the happiest week in his
life, and for the deepest and sweetest feelings he had ever
experienced, and which would always remain the dearest memory of his
life. His photograph was shortly afterward sent back to him, from
Ostend; but his letter remained unanswered. He did not learn therefore,
that it had made an exceedingly bad impression, and that Frau Ellrich
had only been restrained with difficulty by her daughter from writing
to tell him how impertinent she thought it of him to appear to take the
initiative, when her daughter had first refused to receive him. Herr
von Pechlar obtained a long leave, whi