I can't tell you how the man amused me," and he laughed again as he recalled the conversation.

But all his amusement vanished when Wilhelm answered: "The Landrath was quite right.

A political outlaw is very doubtful company for a man in your position, and I cannot think how I came to overlook the fact myself." In vain did Paul endeavor to turn the matter into a joke; in vain that he showed himself inconsolable at his stupidity in having told the story.

Wilhelm declared firmly that he must leave his friend, and bringing his whole force of will to bear upon it, carried his intention through.
The next day Paul's carriage took him to Harburg.

The parting was trying to all of them.