"Just imagine that Stein--but hush, there is Grenwitz--not a word, I pray you!"
"Well, gentlemen!" said Felix, "will you please form a cotillon? I have already twice given notice!"
Felix said this in a somewhat irritated tone of voice. His face, generally pale, was deep red. He had evidently taken a good deal of wine.
When the dance was over the same gentlemen, whose conversation Felix had interrupted, met once more as if by agreement.
"Well, where is Cloten with his last piece of news?" asked Sylow.
"Here," said Cloten, coming up. "Just imagine this Stein--we are quite entre nous here?"
"Oh yes! Go on!"
"Has the impudence--well, guess! to fall in love with whom?"
"Ah, Cloten, you are unbearable! Are you going to tell us or not?"
"With Helen Grenwitz!" said Cloten, in a hollow voice.