"The Lieutenant?"
"Of course, to be at home; he wished to fetch me at ten o'clock, to take me I do not know where."
"Herr von Werben would not think much of such an obstacle," said the Councillor, with well-acted repressed impatience; "write on a card that you are at So-and-so's, and beg him to come and fetch you."
"But he does not know this man!"
"Yes, he does; I happen to know it from Herr Schmidt himself."
The Count had rung for his servant to give him his hat and gloves. The two gentlemen went towards the door.
"If only his name were not Schmidt," said the Count, standing still.
"What a strange mania! all great men are afflicted with something of the sort!--After you, Count Golm."
"Not at all! I am at home here!"
And the gentlemen left the room.