"Is that all?" exclaimed Hildegard. "Of course I am kind, far too kind to you ungrateful blasée girls, who cannot rise to enthusiasm even with the prospect of a dance! But you, Baron?"
"I envy the gentlemen," replied he, "who will benefit by your kindness; I myself, as you are aware, will scarcely be able to participate in it."
Hildegard raised her eyebrows.
"I thought," she said, "that the matter was settled. Your relations may see how they can best do without you. I wish to hear nothing more upon the subject. This is my ultimatum, and I beg you will respect it."
The Baron bowed, and muttered something about force majeure. Hildegard paid no heed to it; she had already taken up the second letter.
"I must beforehand apologise for my bad French accent. The letter is from the Residenz, and I ought to mention ..."
"From Princess Amelia?" the Baron asked eagerly.
"Not from our gracious Princess," replied Hildegard with a courteous smile, "but from a princess, for all that."
"Perhaps you would translate it?" suggested Otto timidly.
"Very well," replied his wife. "I was thinking of doing so anyhow, for I know you pretend that you do not understand French. Well, then--