At Cologne one day he conveniently overtook her when she was ascending the hotel staircase.

Seeing him, she went to the window of the entresol landing, which commanded a view of the Rhine, meaning that he should pass by to his room.
'I have been very uneasy,' began the captain, drawing up to her side; 'and I am obliged to trouble you sooner than I meant to do.' Paula turned her eyes upon him with some curiosity as to what was coming of this respectful demeanour.

'Indeed!' she said.
He then informed her that he had been overhauling himself since they last talked, and had some reason to blame himself for bluntness and general want of euphemism; which, although he had meant nothing by it, must have been very disagreeable to her.

But he had always aimed at sincerity, particularly as he had to deal with a lady who despised hypocrisy and was above flattery.

However, he feared he might have carried his disregard for conventionality too far.