"And even if it were-- But, forgive me, good Countess! I don't believe a word of it, it's only he that says it.--If it were true, I'd rather die than ask for the wages of sin. You're a good-for-nothing fellow, and if you ever say such a thing again, I'll tell on you. Take my word for it, I will."
Baum pretended that it was all a joke. But Walpurga could see no joke in the matter, and he was glad when she, at last, promised to say nothing about it. He remarked that he required no mediator and would manage to look out for himself.
In Countess Irma's apartment, which was just below that of the crown prince and Walpurga, a scene of quite a different nature was going on.
Bruno was there, and thus addressed Irma:
"I'm in trouble, and I can't help saying that it's your fault. Mother Sylph has inflicted herself upon me, and is very much in my way.
"Whom do you mean?"
"My mother-in-law has come and has told me with a smile, that as long as my sister--she, too, might just as well be here."
Irma covered her face with both her hands.
"And do you, too, believe it?"
"What matters it what I believe? It's the town-talk, and that's enough."