Pray, my dear sir, let that be my concern.

Wittich.

That concern, however, I shall share with you--my dear sir. And it seems to me that the best plan would be for the lady to put on a decent dress, walk through the grounds with me, and pay a visit to the Countess at the castle.

Pierre.

What!--my mother--? What's the use of that?

Wittich.

It will look as if she'd returned--and we'd--somehow--met here.

Pierre.

Do you think any one is going to believe that?

Wittich (proudly).