Believe me, it flatters the little creature that we should admire
her beauty. I can well imagine how enchanting a loving look from a
rich young gentleman may be for a weak, feminine mind. The sweet
words which one can say are as poison which enters the blood. I
have still a clear conscience. Not ONE innocent soul have I
poisoned!"

"And yet you are rich and young enough to do so," returned Otto,
not without bitterness. "Our friends precede us with a good
example: here come some of our own age; they are acquainted with
the roses!"

"Good evening, thou good fellow!" was the greeting Wilhelm received
from three or four of the young men.

"Are you on Thou-terms with all these?" inquired Otto.

"Yes," answered Wilhelm; "we became so at a carouse. There all
drank the Thou-brotherhood. I could not draw myself back. At other
times I do not willingly give my 'thou' to any but my nearest
friends. _Thou_ has something to my mind affectionate and holy.
Many people fling it to the first person with whom they drink a
glass. At the carouse I could not say no."

"And wherefore not?" returned Otto; "that would never have troubled
me."

The friends now wandered on, arm-in-arm. Later in the evening we
again meet with them together, and that at the house of a noble
family, whose name and rank are to be found in the "Danish Court