"How do you find yourself, Thostrup?" he inquired. "We are still
friends as before?" and he wished to give his hand. Otto drew back
his. "I have done nothing which could so much offend you," said
Wilhelm; "the whole was merely a joke! Give me your hand, and we
will speak no more of the affair!"

"To the man whom I hate, I never reach my hand," replied Otto and
his lips were white like his cheeks.

"A second time to-day you speak these words to me," said Wilhelm,
and the blood rushed to his face. "We were friends, wherefore
cannot we be so still? Have people slandered me to you? Have they
told lies about me? Only tell me faithfully, and I shall be able to
defend myself."

"You must fight with me!" said Otto; and his glance became more
gloomy. Wilhelm was silent; there reigned a momentary stillness.
Otto suppressed a deep sigh. At length Wilhelm broke silence, and
said, with a grave and agitated voice,--"I am so thoughtless, I
joke so often, and regard everything from the ridiculous side. But
for all that I have both heart and feeling. You must have known how
much dearer you were to me than most other people. You are so
still, although you offend me. At this moment your blood is in a
fever; not now, but after a few days, you yourself will best see
which of us is the offended party. You demand that I fight with
you; I will if your honor requires this satisfaction: but you must
lay before me an acceptable reason. I will know wherefore we risk
our lives. Let some days pass by; weigh all with your understanding
and your heart! It will still depend upon yourself whether we