“And so you would dance in the present for what it would win you in the future.”

“Why not?  It is a very usual way to gain a usual end.”

“And the modern society household is the result.”

“What would become of a poor fellow without these merciful arrangements for introductions to nice girls?  Is one to advertise?”

“So you thought of this in the midst of your poetical soiree?”

“Certainly.  You are provided for.  Don’t think ill of me if I follow your example.”

Wilhelm felt the blood flow to his cheeks.  He perceived his friend’s evident meaning.

“Paul!  A fortune-hunter!”

“You may talk.  Luck flew to you without your lifting a finger to attract it.  Other people must help themselves.  Fortune-hunter!  That name was invented by hysterical girls whose heads are turned by silly novels.  These absurd creatures wish in their childish vanity to be married merely for their beautiful eyes.  I should like to ask such a girl whether she would marry a man merely for his beautiful eyes!  I have no patience with such nonsense.  Suppose a poor man, who is capable and clever, acknowledges in a straightforward way that he is trying to win the hand of a rich woman.  He need not upbraid himself about anything, for he gives as much as he receives.  What do people want from the world?  Happiness.  That is the aim of my life, just as it is the aim of the rich woman’s.  She has money, and for happiness she lacks love; I have love, and for happiness I lack money.  We make an equal exchange of what we own.  It is the most beautiful supplement to a dual incompleteness.”

“It is in this way then that you would offer what you call love to a rich girl!  A love cleverly conducted, carefully mapped out—­a love which one could control, and on no account offer to a poor girl.”

“Rubbish!  The love of every man who is in his right mind is carefully planned.  Would you be in love with a king’s daughter?  It is to be hoped not.  You could keep out of the way of the king’s daughter.  Why can I not keep out of the way of the poor girl?”

“That means that the princess’ rank is as much a hindrance to love as the poverty of the work-girl.”

“I swear to you, Wilhelm, that if I were as rich, or as independent as you, I would not think of a dowry.  But I am a poor devil.  If I were so unfortunate as to fall in love with a poor girl, I would try to get the better of the feeling.  I would say to myself, better endure a short time of unhappiness and disappointment than that she and I should be condemned through life to the keenest want, which, with prosaic certainty, would smother love.”