"Very well; and now I must be going. You are coming to the ball to-night, Karl? You know you really are the guest of honor; isn't he, Olga?"
"Yes, indeed. Karl is to fall in love with his future wife to-night."
Karl looked at her, but she spoke with perfect self-possession, and lightly.
"I shall do my best," he said, and he tried to speak with enthusiasm.
"Ah, you are not half grateful enough for this treasure, Karl; you should be happy," Olga said.
"Of course he should, and he will," Herman interposed, moving toward the door. "We will all be happy—you and Elsa and Karl and I—everybody, I hope."
Olga went nearer to Karl and spoke seriously.
"She is a very charming girl, Karl."
"If you say one word more about that girl I shall fall in love with her immediately, which would be ahead of my matrimonial scheme," Karl replied jestingly. "You know I am not obliged to fall in love until to-night."
"Well, well, I must be off," Herman said, as he went up to kiss Olga. "Good-by, dear; I shall call for you at 4 o'clock."