"Well, I suppose it is permitted to inquire after your wife! Or do you allow no questions to be asked?"
"Certainly; but what do you mean?"
"Because she has been so very charming for a little while past."
"Is that so very uncommon?" asked Cloten, slightly embarrassed, and torturing his moustache.
"Yes; for she had just before treated everybody, yourself included, so very badly, that one could not help wondering at the sudden change. At all events, I was not the only one to notice it; the whole world is full of it."
"The whole world ought to pull its own nose," said Cloten; and his hand trembled with annoyance as he filled his glass.
"Certainly; but they don't do it."
"---- the whole world!"
"Certainly; if you wish it. But if you would rather talk about something else;--I only thought that, as your oldest friend, it was my duty to call your attention to certain things."
"Well, then, come; out with your story," said Cloten, with nervous vehemence. "What is it? Out with it!"