THE LITTLE THIEF
Permission Ch. Sedelmeyer, Paris
Michael von Munkacsy
"Spare me such things, dear Count!" exclaimed Carla; "I don't understand anything at all about them! I only know that my sister-in-law is a charming creature, and that you are a terribly blasé man, before whom every honorable girl must shudder. And now let us go into the reception room. I hear Baroness Kniebreche; she would never forgive you if you did not kiss her hand within the first five minutes!"
"Give me courage for the execution," whispered the Count.
"How?"
The Count did not answer, but took her hand from the keys of the piano, pressed a few passionate kisses upon it, and, with a movement half feigned and half real, hastened into the other room.
"But he is such a fool!" whispered Carla, looking after him over her shoulder with her lorgnette as he hastened out.
"That he is," said a voice near her.
"Mon Dieu! Signor Giraldi!"
"As ever, at your service!"