"Excellent—delicious! Count von Wolfsgarten, you are the wisest of us all; are you also of opinion that a million must have a title? I mean, of course, not the million, but the man who has the million?"
"It is most amiable of you," replied Clodwig, "to exercise in my favor your sovereign right to point out the wisest of us all."
"Thanks," cried the long lieutenant, "that blow told. But I pray you let me have your opinion."
"I think," said a stout retired court-marshal who boasted of having already lost sixteen pounds at the Baths, "I think that our noble host has the right to require that this discussion should not be continued at this time and in this place. Does not your Excellency agree with me?" he added, turning to Clodwig.
Before the Count had time to answer, Sonnenkamp broke in:—
"On the contrary, I should be most happy if my honored guests would so far favor me as to continue the discussion, and allow me to be a listener; I should take it as a proof that they did not regard me as stranger."
Clodwig, who had broken through his usual strict rule of temperance, and allowed himself to be persuaded to drink two glasses of champagne, suddenly assumed a knowing look and said:—
"In that case, Herr Sonnenkamp, let us hear your own opinion upon the subject."
"Yes, yes," cried the long lieutenant; "the man who has earned millions, and has got up such a fairy entertainment as this, must-—-"
"Pray, let Herr Sonnenkamp speak," interrupted Clodwig.