and pressed her firmly to me, called her again and again by name, and implored her with foolish entreaties to stop, not to cry in that way, to take heart and spare herself. Soon my tears fell as freely as hers. Little by little the crisis passed over, she smiled languidly, dried my eyes with the little handkerchief, which was wet with her own tears; and while she tenderly pressed my hand, she whispered several times—
"My dearest friend."
"That I am, Minna, that I am whatever happens.… But you must not take it in this way, do you hear? You must not feel unhappy, for you are not going to be unhappy.… I would rather suffer anything than that, rather lose you, and so would he, I am quite sure of that.… We must be wise and you must make yourself strong … you must not consider me at all … only think of yourself, what is best for you, that must also be best for us. Only do what is right and follow what your own nature dictates, that is the main thing.… We shall both be satisfied, if only you will be happy."
"I—no, really I am the last one who ought to be considered.… Oh, if I could make both of you happy by giving both of you up, I really think—yes, I am sure—I could make that sacrifice, rather than disappoint one of you.… And now I cannot give my hand to the one without taking it away from the other; how then is it possible for me to be happy? That is out of the question."
"Indeed, my dearest, that alone must be the question. I know that at the beginning you will feel very unhappy because you will be bound to hurt one of us so much, but there is time enough for happiness, as it concerns your whole life.… When you choose what is best, you will gradually feel content; and the one who does not get the
