Gently, but quickly, he laid his hand upon Moritz's shoulder, saying: "In this hour, when two souls are revealed to each other, will I acknowledge to you that which I have never spoken of.

I, too, love a woman, who loves me, and yet can never be mine, for she is married to another.

I love this sweet woman as I have never loved a mortal being.

For years my existence has belonged to her, she has been the centre of all my thoughts.

It would seem to me as if the earth were without a sun, heaven without a God, if she should vanish from life.