"Your threats do not terrify me, Cassius," replied Oldenburg, in a tone, the royal dignity of which contrasted strongly with the hoarse, passionate voice of the other. "I tell you once more, Barnewitz, either you tell me what you mean by that question, or I refuse to answer."
"Well then, the thing is briefly this: Cloten is in love with Hortense!"
"Oh! and vice versâ: is your wife in love with this lovely youth?"
"I wish he were where the pepper grows!"
"A very charitable wish, in which I join you with all my heart. Since when has this comedy been played?"
"Since our return from Italy."
"And what evidences have you?"
"A thousand!"
"And what do you mean to do?"
"Great Heavens! Oldenburg. You ask me as if I had been playing whist! I want to kill the rascal; I want to drive him from my place here with the whip!"