“Thélénie must have rendered this man some great service!” thought Chamoureau; “he discovers too many virtues in her; I am not acquainted with so many as that.—May I know with whom I have the honor of talking?” he said, turning to Croque.
Croque drew himself up, twirled his cane so rapidly that Chamoureau for a moment feared for his nose, and replied:
“I am the Baron von Schtapelmerg. I imagine that that name is not unknown to you, and that your wife must often have spoken to you of me?”
“Baron von—I beg your pardon?”
“Schtapelmerg.”
“Oh, yes! Schtapel—Yes, I have it.”
“You know me, do you not?”
“Faith! no; this is the first time I ever heard your name; otherwise I should have remembered it, as it’s rather uncommon!”
“You surprise me very much. What! Madame Sainte-Suzanne—I beg your pardon; I always think of her by that name.”
“There’s no harm done.”