"What, really! Winkler never told us a word about it."
All surrounded the speaker, eager with curiosity.
"Is she pretty?" asked one at last, and the others pressed more closely to hear the answer.
The baron purposely delayed his answer for some time, then he said: "Pretty? my dear boys, she's much more than that, and although she comes from the provinces she's awfully chic. But you must see her figure. I can tell you——" and he smacked his tongue.
"Did you get introduced to her?"
"Unfortunately, no; I was with friends in the restaurant, and had no opportunity of getting rid of them, but this evening it will be all right. I heard quite by chance that the old trouser-button manufacturer reserved a table for himself for to-day. I shall take good care to be there, and when once I am introduced to the young lady I have no fear about conquering."
"In other words, you are trying to catch the gold fish."
Baron von Masemann calmly lit a cigarette. "Someone will marry her. Why shouldn't I be that someone?"
"Quite so, but do you think the coup will be successful?"
The baron shrugged his shoulders. "Who can say? One can but try. After all, one can't get more than a refusal at the worst. And then why should the old boy say 'No,' if I only succeed in making the daughter infatuated about me? My family is first-class. I myself am not worse than other fellows, and the few debts I have are of no importance; the old fellow has plenty of money, and ought to be delighted if he can get such an aristocratic son-in-law for his money."