I have been guilty of the deadly sin of loving you madly, and forgetting everything else in the world for that.

You are quite right to punish me for it.

And see how low I have sunk! see what my love has brought me to! You may curse me, you may ill-treat me; I love you all the same, Wilhelm--do what you will, I love you all the same." She was so distraught that she could not stay in the dining room.

With a sudden violent movement she grasped his arm and dragged him away with her upstairs to the bedroom, where she threw herself exhausted on the sofa.

Wilhelm stood before her, looking thoroughly crestfallen, and wishing devoutly that he had the dread hour behind him.