"That is, mon cher," said the baroness, with her sweetest smile, "because you have not been at Grenwitz for an eternity."
"Ah, very kind, baroness--very kind--baroness, you have not had the goodness yet to introduce me--Baron Felix, I suppose?" continued the dandy, lifting his hat to Oswald.
"Doctor Stein," said the baroness, "my son's tutor--Baron Cloten----"
"Ah, ah, indeed," said Baron Cloten; "delighted--indeed--yes, yes, what I was going to say, baroness, where are you going? if I may ask."
"To Barnewitz."
"Ah, just my way--quiet, Robin, quiet!"
"But, Baron Cloten, it will be a large party," said the baroness, looking at his top-boots and hunting-coat.
"Impossible, baroness; Barnewitz asked me yesterday, as I met him accidentally, to come over to a game of whist; but he did not say a word about a dinner-party."
"It was a joke of his, you may be sure."
"Ah--very likely! Barnewitz has such funny notions. Quiet, Robin!--devil of a fellow, that Barnewitz--no doubt thought it great fun to see me come into the dining-room in top-boots--spoil the fun--I beseech you, baroness--gentlemen--tell nobody you have seen me. In a quarter of an hour at Barnewitz. Au revoir!"