“Your uncle has told you, I suppose, that I wish to marry my niece to the Baron de Waldemora?”
“Yes, madame, he told me so—this evening.”
“This evening? Has he arrived? I did not know that he was here!”
“He could not find a room at the chateau, no doubt, and he is stopping at Stollborg.”
“What! In that den of evil spirits? Well! he will be in good company! But isn’t he coming to the ball?”
“I hope not!” replied Cristiano, thoughtlessly.
“You hope not!”
“I say so because of his gout, which requires perfect repose.”
“Indeed! Has he the gout? What a trial to such a brisk, active man! He never had it before, and imagined that he was always going to escape.”
“It is quite recent—the attack came on only a few days ago. He sent me here in his place to present his compliments to you, and receive your commands, which I will communicate to him as soon as he wakes in the morning.”