uch a
report carry with it a very great show of probability, since assuredly
no one could have got at your goods with so little risk as I? What
will it profit me when far away, though you endeavour to vindicate me
and to silence such a calumny? Will not your unwonted lenity, your
present preposterous supineness, make the detestable rumour wear a
look of the utmost speciousness, nay, of irrefragable truth? How, by
what means, shall I then be able to clear myself? And, my loved, my
honoured friend, who do nothing but good to mankind, and think nothing
but evil of them, may not the same suspicion start up even in you, and
strike deep root in the dark places of your soul, and by little and
little grow into a conviction that I am the person?"

Balthasar gazed at him, and walkt several times silently up and down
the room. He was evidently struggling with himself, and seemed totally
lost in thought.

"You are not mistaken," he said after a long pause; "or rather you are
perfectly right. You know my notions about wealth and property. I look
on them with terrour. It seemed to me to be quite right, and to be a
kind of slight amends to destiny for my incomprehensible luck, that
what was flowing in so abundantly upon me from every side should at
least have one outlet by which a part of it might run off. At times I
have fancied that such a person or such another was thus making his
fortune, who wanted it, and in a manner deserved it by his cleverness
and sagacity in getting it. I took up a superstitious resolution to
remain purposely in the dark, that I might not dissipate this strange
dream and be deprived of this vague feeling. It gave me pain that I
had to misdoubt so many of my people, nay all of them; but at the same
time it was a pleasure that I could not feel certain about any. Yes,
my friend, you too, you too have I wronged. You now know me pretty
well, and I entreat your forgiveness. I have oftentimes thought in
secret, without however feeling the least anger against you: 'Well, he
is taking beforehand what he has richly earned, by labour, by
sleepless nights, by diligence of every kind ... he cannot know for
certain whether death may not snatch me away suddenly ... peradventure
he has some poor relations ... he may wish to marry and set up with a
handsome establishment ... he may perhaps have the same notions about
property as I myself.' This has been the main ground of my lenity and
weakness, as you call it; more especi