You must not trample this peace offering under your feet."
As he spoke he unwrapped--somewhat awkwardly, for he had only his left
hand--a full blown rose and two buds from its cover of tissue paper.
Marietta's eyes sank and a flush of shame o'erspread her features as she
took the flowers, without speaking, and pinned them on her breast; then
she reached out her hand, as if begging for forgiveness; it was grasped
at once.
"You are accustomed to receive gifts of flowers," he said almost
apologetically. "I hear from all sides how much homage is paid you."
The young girl smiled, but smiled more sadly than joyfully.
"You have seen what manner of homage is done me at times," she said.
"Count Westerburg is not the first against whom I have had to contend.
So many men consider it perfectly legitimate to attempt liberties with
any one who appears on the stage, and sometimes even those with whom one
associates are not--believe me, Herr von Eschenhagen, my lot is not
always an enviable one."
Willibald appeared surprised.
"Not an enviable one? Why, I thought you loved your profession, heart
and soul, and that nothing could induce you to leave it."
"Certainly, I love it; but I am realizing each day, more and more, with
how much that is hard and bitter I have to contend.
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