history. He forwarded the letter immediately, and wrote at the same
time to his friend: "I hope the inclosed brings you good news from
America." But in his reply Warren took no notice of this passage,
and made no allusion to Ellen. He only spoke of the new house in
which he had just settled himself--"to end," as he said, "his days;"
and he pressed Hermann to come and join him. The two friends at last
agreed to pass Christmas and New Year's Day together; but when
December came, Warren urged his friend to hasten his arrival.

"I do not feel well," he wrote, "and am often so weary that I stay
at home all day. I have made no new acquaintances, and, most likely,
will make none. I am alone. Your society would give me great
pleasure. Come; your room is ready, and will be, I trust, to your
liking. There is a large writing table and tolerably well-filled
book-shelves; you can write there quite at your ease, without fear
of disturbance. Come as soon as possible, my dear friend. I am
expecting you impatiently."

Hermann happened to be at leisure, and was able to comply with his
friend's wish, and to go to him in the first week of December. He
found Warren looking worn and depressed. It was in vain he sought to
induce him to consult a physician. Warren would reply:

"Doctors can do nothing for my complaint. I know where the shoe
pinches. A physician would order me probably to seek relaxation and
amusement, just as he would advise a poor devil whose blood is
impoverished by bad food to strengthen himself with a generous diet
and good wine. The poor man could not afford to get the good living,
and I do not know what could enliven or divert me. Travel? I like
nothing so well as sitting quietly in my arm-chair. New faces? They