He was reminded of it, however, on reaching home about three o'clock, by finding Paul, who always came to see him at that hour.
"What's the news ?" cried he, coming cheerfully to meet him.
"I went to-day to see Fraulein Ellrich, to set things right between us." "Bravo." "Yes; I went, but I have not done it." And then he related the incident again.
Paul seemed quite stunned while Wilhelm was speaking, and then sprang up in great excitement from the sofa, and cried: "You will fight the scoundrel, of course!" "No," said Wilhelm quietly.
"What!" shouted Paul, taking hold of Wilhelm's shoulder and shaking him.

"Surely you are not in earnest?
You are an officer--you have been a student--you will never let that fool of a fellow place you in a false position!" Wilhelm freed himself, and tried to speak reasonably; but Paul would not listen, and went on, his face red with anger: "Not only for yourself; you owe it to the girl's honor, if not to your own, to punish the fellow.

You won't appear like a coward in a woman's eyes." "That is an odd kind of logic." "Do be quiet with your logic and your philosophy, and the lot of them.
I am not a logician, but a man, and I feel a mortal offense like a man, and want to settle with the offender." "Do stop a minute and let me speak a word.

I will break off my relations with Fraulein Ellrich, and then I shall not be in a position to fight for her." "That is very chivalrous!" "That is silly! Just think of this situation: suppose I wound or kill the offender--come back from the duel, and find the young girl, who is the cause of the quarrel, ready to offer me the prize.

I answer: 'Many thanks, fair lady, I do not now wish for it,' and straightway leave her, like the knight in the old ballad." That seemed to satisfy Paul.
"Very well; then it must not be on her account.