"Well, not so bad!" said Sylow.
"That is just like the fellow," added Grieben.
"Hinc illæ lacrimæ!" laughed Breesen, who had retained a few Latin phrases from his school-days.
"And the best of it is," continued Cloten, "Miss Helen is by no means averse; au contraire, she is head over ears in love with him. Now, is not that charming?"
"Who on earth has made you believe that bloody story?" asked Breesen.
"I have it from very good authority," replied Cloten, with a significative wink of the eye towards that part of the room where Emily was standing in conversation with Helen.
"Hm, hm!" said Breesen.
"The story is not improbable," remarked Sylow. "That explains the deep melancholy of all the Grenwitz family; they look like mutes."
"Did not I always say there was something the matter tonight?" remarked Breesen, again. "I am quite glad now I did not become more intimate with the fellow; at first, I confess, I liked him very well. The man has really something very winning about him."
"He is a famous shot!" said Sylow, meditatively.