As soon as the countess sat down, her companion, as if at a given signal, arose and left the room.
Scarcely were they alone when the baron petulantly remarked: "It appears as if your ladyship and our young friend rejoiced in very intimate mutual relations."
"Oh, very intimate. I assure you he is a most worthy, honourable man."
"So I observe."
"I am quite in earnest. I find him quite a treasure, and he is extraordinarily attached to me."
"Very nice of him, I'm sure."
"Oh, you gentlemen, what mockers you are. There are men, I can tell you, who for all that they are poor are more capable of self-sacrifice than the haughtiest nabobs who make such a fuss over us till we are in trouble and then snatch up their hats and fly from the house. You also belong to that class, my lord!"
"I don't understand you."
"Suppose, for instance, I were to say to you: my dear friend, I have fallen into quite an awkward predicament and to-day or to-morrow they will distrain upon me for 40,000 florins."
The baron burst out laughing.