"Man is at the bottom of all the kinks and twists in this short life; not Heaven.

But Herbeck is right; you shall marry _when_ you will." She sprang into his arms and kissed him.

It was, however, a traitorous kiss; for she was saying in her heart that now she would never marry.
Herbeck's eyes wandered to the portrait over the fireplace.

It was the girl's mother.
The knock of the valet was again heard.
"Your Highness, there is a young woman, a peasant, who desires to speak to her serene highness." "Where is she ?" asked the duke.
"She is outside, your Highness." "What! She enters the palace without any more trouble than this ?" "By my orders, father," said Hildegarde, who gathered that this privileged visitor must be Gretchen of the Krumerweg.

"Admit her." "Truly we are becoming socialists," said the duke, appealing to Herbeck, who replied with his usual grim smile.
Gretchen was ushered in.