"I beg you a thousand pardons! I had hoped to finish the thing--the report, you know, Herr Schieler. Count Golm, I consider myself happy."
"We disturb you, my dear fellow," said the Councillor; "but I have been saying so much about your beautiful gallery to Count Golm, and he is here for such a short time----"
"But quite long enough to be able to return at a more convenient hour," said the Count.
"I would not let you go on any account," exclaimed Philip; "there is no such hurry about this business."
"But we are keeping you from something else."
"From nothing more interesting or agreeable, Count Golm. I give you my word, I happened to have nothing for to-night--positively nothing. I think, any way, I should have stayed at home."
The Councillor shook his finger at him.
"Upon my honour, Herr Schieler." Philip rang the bell. "Light the lamps in the drawing-room and in the dining-room. And Count Golm, Councillor Schieler, will you do me the honour to join me in my bachelor supper? Now, that is most kind of you; so put three places, Johann."
"No ceremony, I beg!" said the Count.
"None, I assure you. May I show you the way?"