The whole party broke up noisily; the Polish women lighted their cigarettes, the pink Berlin lady disappeared in a grey sack-like winter cloak, which suited her flaxen hair better. The gentlemen eagerly discussed the last decisive battle, and were so excited and absorbed that Kätchen picked up several louis d'ors at the garden gate, as perquisites.
In the house itself all had suddenly become silent; a tired lacquey snored upon the bench in the hall; no one remembered to extinguish the lamps and candles; a current of air blew in through the open doors; several lights flickered and went out; others burned down and filled the air with their odour.
Baluzzi hastened, in wild excitement, through the saloons, and at last found Beate upon a divan in the farthest room in the suite of apartments. Only one hanging lamp shed a dim light.
Beate sprang up from the sofa and assumed an attitude prepared for defiance, for the Italian was greatly excited, and she knew that he would then recklessly indulge his wild nature.
"There you are--you would speak to me--benissimo. I too would speak to you; you are probably afraid of me, little cat? You have an evil conscience, yes, per dio, I might shake you to death, because you are to blame for the last hesitation."
At these words, he caught Beate with his powerful hand. But she drew out her dagger.
"Stand back! I expected ill-usage; but I am prepared to protect myself from it."
The Italian started back at the unexpected sight of the shining steel.
"Corpo del diavolo," cried he, "the little witch has provided herself well, but if I were to struggle with you--"
"Just try it!"