The count had spoken with much warmth. No one replied, and there was a momentary silence. Baron von Reischach interrupted it by exclaiming--
"But do you know, ladies, the last great excitement in Vienna?"
"No," replied Countess Clam Gallas, "what is it? a fresh success of Wolter's, or a new eccentricity of Gallmeyer's?"
"Something much better than either," replied the baron, "a very piquant duel."
"A duel? and between whom? do we any of us know them?" asked Countess Frankenstein.
"It was between our little Uhlan von Stielow," said Baron Reischach, "and that Italian Count Rivero whom you will remember well; he was here some time back with the Nuncio."
"How very extraordinary!" exclaimed Countess Frankenstein; "has Count Rivero been here long?"
"He came yesterday," replied Herr von Reischach.
"And in twenty-four hours a rencontre took place with Herr von Stielow?" asked Countess Clam Gallas.
"It appears," said the baron, "that a lady is in the case. You have surely heard of the beautiful Madame Balzer?"