“Did Frank tell you I was next of kin?”
“I rather think so; but I am sure you did.”
“I—when?”
“When you told me how important it was to you that Frank should marry Madame di Negra. Peste! mon cher, do you think I am a blockhead?”
“Well, Baron, Frank is of age, and can marry to please himself. You implied to me that you could help him in this.”
“I will try. See that he call at Madame di Negra’s tomorrow, at two precisely.”
“I would rather keep clear of all apparent interference in this matter. Will you not arrange that he call on her? And do not forget to entangle him in a post-obit.”
“Leave it to me. Any more wine? No?—then let us go to the count’s.”