In a tone at once enigmatic and perfectly correct, de Naarboveck accosted them:
"You are among my guests, gentlemen."
"That is obvious, is it not?" replied one of the new-comers.... "You may be assured, Baron, that neither my friend Fandor nor I would have allowed ourselves the liberty otherwise."...
"I know! I know, Monsieur Juve!... Besides—I was expecting you!" An ironic smile curved the lips of de Naarboveck.
"We should have reproached ourselves, Baron, had we not come this evening to offer you the felicitations to which you have a right."
"Really?... No doubt you refer to the marriage of Wilhelmine?"
"No, Baron. I reserve such congratulations for Monsieur de Loubersac and Mademoiselle Thérèse—pardon, for Mademoiselle Wilhelmine."
When making this deliberate mistake in the name, Juve looked squarely at the diplomat—but de Naarboveck made no sign.
"What, then, do you refer to, Monsieur Juve?" he asked.
"I mean, my dear Baron, that I have recently heard of your new office, heard that your credentials have just been presented, heard that they will be ratified to-morrow.... From this evening, Baron, are you not then the representative of the kingdom of Hesse-Weimar?... I fancy, Monsieur the Ambassador, that you are satisfied with this nomination?"