"And whom can I ask to meet her? One has an antipathy to Felix, others to her----" the Countess laughs lightly and kindles a fresh cigarette. "One must be so careful--it would be very disagreeable for me if toward evening some one should accidentally come over from Marienbad, and should meet her here."
"Have a warning fastened over the door as when one has small-pox in the house," laughs Pistasch.
"Invite the Garzins," proposes Scirocco.
"Yes, that is something, but a strange element is still desirable," remarks the Countess. "What do you say to the Klette?"
Scirocco frowns. "I do not understand how respectable people can tolerate this poisonous old gossiping viper under their roofs," he answers, angrily.
"Neither do I," replies Mimi Dey, obligingly, "but still every one does."
"I make you another proposition, Mimi," cries Pistasch: "Invite old Harfink by telegram; I think he will come by special train."
The Countess smiled. "I should certainly do it," remarks she, "but I believe the Lanzberg would look upon it as a mortal insult. Besides, when did you make his acquaintance?"
"I met him once on the train, and thereupon he invited me to dinner," explains Pistasch.
"And you accepted?" asks the Countess, raising her eyebrows.