fellow-sot there said, and as I vaingloriously denied, we are all

miserable sinners, put here for a moment, knowing the good, choosing

the evil, standing naked and ashamed in the eye of God.'

'Is it so?' said Otto. 'Why, then, what are we? Are the very best

- '

'There is no best in man,' said Gotthold. 'I am not better, it is

likely I am not worse, than you or that poor sleeper. I was a sham,

and now you know me: that is all.'

'And yet it has not changed my love,' returned Otto softly. 'Our

misdeeds do not change us. Gotthold, fill your glass. Let us drink

to what is good in this bad business; let us drink to our old

affection; and, when we have done so, forgive your too just grounds

of offence, and drink with me to my wife, whom I have so misused,

who has so misused me, and whom I have left, I fear, I greatly fear,

in danger. What matters it how bad we are, if others can still love

us, and we can still love others?'

'Ay!' replied the Doctor. 'It is very well said. It is the true

answer to the pessimist, and the standing miracle of mankind. So

you still love me? and so you can forgive your wife? Why, then, we

may bid conscience "Down, dog," like an ill-trained puppy yapping at

shadows.'

The pair fell into silence, the Doctor tapping on his empty glass.

The carriage swung forth out of the valleys on that open balcony of

high-road that runs along the front of Grunewald, looking down on

Gerolstein. Far below, a white waterfall was shining to the stars

from the falling skirts of forest, and beyond that, the night stood

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