'Well, Sir Knight of the Rueful Countenance—' he was beginning, when Charlie said—
'How can you jest, Heinrich, at a time like this?'
'I do not jest; but have come, in defiance of all family views and prejudices, to cheer you, and have some conversation over this wretched affair. Poor Ernestine! I wish you and she had taken me into your confidence. By our past and present friendship, I surely merited that from you, at least.'
'A bottle of wine, Heinrich?
'Thanks—I have just galloped in from the Schloss, and had some difficulty in finding your quarters.'
'There are cigars, and here is an easy-chair. I am thankful you did not come on a hostile visit. To decline would have been disgraceful, to accept might have been fratricide; but I should have fired in the air.'
'What stuff you are talking!' said Heinrich, as he manipulated and lit a cigar, while the waiter was pouring out the wine.
'Now let us talk,' said he, when the latter had withdrawn.
'And how are the ladies this evening?' asked Charlie, trying, with a swelling heart, to talk common sense.
'As you may suppose, the Grafine, my mother, is in a furious pet; and I knew nothing about your sudden departure till I found your place vacant at the breakfast table.'