When Wilhelm had finished, and raised his eyes questioningly to
Schrotter, the latter said, after a short silence:
"I congratulate you on the quiet way in which you have told me all
this. For a young fellow of twenty-six with deep feelings it is
little short of a wonder. But the question is, what do you intend to
do?"
"Nothing," answered Wilhelm simply.
"You will not call out Herr von Pechlar?"
"No."
"And if Herr von Pechlar challenges you?"
"He challenge me?"
"Certainly; for although he is the direct offender, we can't
overlook the fact, dear Eynhardt, that you first insulted him, which
by a nice point of honor would justify him in taking the first
steps. The man is evidently bent on a quarrel, so we have to
consider the possibility that he may send his second with a
challenge."
"In that case I would make it clear that I do not demand
satisfaction, but neither will I give it."
There was another pause.
"You are undertaking what may involve serious consequences,"
remarked Schrotter.
"It appears to me easy enough," said Wilhelm.
"You could not think of an academic career in Germany after it."
"You know I do not aspire to that."
"Beside that, the episode will become an insurmountable barrier in a
hundred circumstances of life.
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