Collected works > Edinburgh edition, 1894-98 - Works of Robert Louis Stevenson > Volume 9, 1895 - Romances Volume II

THE FALL COMPLETED
Never, Otto. And to sum all, at such a crisis in
your married life, you get into a window corner
with that ogling dame von Rosen. I do not dream
that there was any harm ; but I do say it was an
idle disrespect to your wife. Why, man, the woman
is not decent'
* Gotthold,' said Otto, ' I will hear no evil of the
Countess.'
' You will certainly hear no good of her,' returned
Gotthold ; ' and if you wish your wife to be the
pink of nicety, you should clear your court of demi-
reputations. '
' The commonplace injustice of a by- word,' Otto
cried. ' The partiality of sex. She is a demirep ;
what then is Gondremark ? Were she a man '
' It would be all one,' retorted Gotthold roughly.
■ When I see a man, come to years of wisdom, who
speaks in double-meanings and is the braggart of his
vices, I spit on the other side. " You, my friend,"
say I, " are not even a gentleman." Well, she 's
not even a lady.'
' She is the best friend I have, and I choose that
she shall be respected,' Otto said.
' If she is your friend, so much the worse,' replied
the Doctor. ' It will not stop there.'
' Ah ! ' cried Otto, ' there is the charity of virtue !
All evil in the spotted fruit. But I can tell you, sir,
that you do Madame von Rosen prodigal injustice.'
' You can tell me ! ' said the Doctor shrewdly.
'Have you tried ? have you been riding the marches?'
The blood came into Otto's face.
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