“Better than most persons, I suspect. Sievers, of course, is not here?”
“No! you have heard about him, I suppose?”
“Heard! heard what?”
“Not heard! well, he told me yesterday, and said he was going to call upon you directly to let you know.”
“Know what?”
“He is a very sensible man, Sievers; and I am very glad at last that he is likely to succeed in the world. All men have their little imprudences, and he was a little too hot once. What of that? He has come to his senses, so have I; and I hope you will never lose yours.”
“But, pray, my dear Prince, tell me what has happened to Sievers.”
“He is going to Vienna immediately, and will be very useful there, I have no doubt. He has got a good place, and I am sure he will do his duty. They cannot have an abler man.”
“Vienna! that is the last city in the world in which I should expect to find Mr. Sievers. What place can he have? and what services can he perform there?”
“Many! he is to be Editor of the Austrian Observer, and Censor of the Austrian Press. I thought he would do well at last. All men have their imprudent day. I had. I cannot stop now. I must go and speak to the Countess von S——.”