"To our youth, Hermann!" After emptying his glass at one draught, be
replaced it on the table, and said complacently, "It is long since I
have drunk with so much pleasure; for this time I have not drunk to
forgetfulness, but to memory."




II.


Warren spent another week in Leipzig with his friend. No man was
easier to live with: to every suggestion of Hermann's he invariably
answered, "Very well;" and if Hermann proposed nothing, he was quite
content to remain seated in a comfortable arm-chair by the fireside,
holding a book which he scarcely looked at, and watching the long
rolls of smoke from his pipe. He disliked new acquaintances;
nevertheless, the friends to whom Hermann introduced him found in
him a quiet, unobtrusive, and well-informed companion. He pleased
everybody. There was something strange and yet attractive in his
person; there was a "charm" about him, people said. Hermann felt the
attraction without being able to define in what it consisted. Their
former friendship had been renewed unreservedly. The kind of
fascination that Warren exercised over all those who approached him
often led Hermann to think that it was not unlikely that in his
youth he had inspired a real love in Ellen Gilmore.

One evening Hermann took his friend to the theatre, where a comic
piece was being performed. In his young days Warren had been very
partial to plays of that kind, and his joyous peals of laughter on