Seleneck waited a moment, as though he expected from Wolff’s tone that there was more to come, but the younger man remained silent, to all appearances intent on watching the Count, who was walking his purchase towards them. There was no irony or bitterness in his expression, but also none of the happiness which one might have expected from the one half of an "ideal couple," and Seleneck turned away with a sigh of resignation. "I think strategy and statistics and military secrets have gone to your head," he said. "You are developing sphinx-like habits which are too much for my childish intellect. Still, when you want me you will know where to find me." Wolff turned, as though struck by a sudden thought. "I want you now, Seleneck," he said quickly. "At least, there is something I want your advice about. You know, I suppose, that my wife’s brother is staying with us?" "I heard something about it," Seleneck admitted, with a sudden uneasiness. In truth, he had heard a great deal about it—from his wife. Hitherto, neither Nora nor her brother had called at the little flat, and this deliberate, inexplicable breach of etiquette had grown to be something worse than a grievance in Frau von Seleneck’s usually pacific heart. But Seleneck knew himself to be no diplomatist, and held his peace. "Well, I fancy that time hangs pretty heavy on his hands. Of course, I am too busy to do much in the entertaining line—and I have an idea that I am too German for his taste. At any rate, my wife is very anxious that he should see something more of Berlin life—the social life, you know—and that he should have a—a good impression." "I can quite understand that," Seleneck said slowly. "We’ll do everything we can. Let me see, Elsa was talking of giving a little dinner next week. I’ll tell her to include him in the invitation." "Thank you," Wolff answered. He was staring hard in front of him, and an uncomfortable flush had mounted his cheeks. "It’s very good of you both," he added, as though ashamed of his own lack of enthusiasm. "As a matter of fact, Miles has found entertainment enough for the present. He has picked up with Bauer, who appears to have some rich relations here. My—my wife has got to know them too." "Yes, so I heard," Seleneck observed grimly. Wolff looked up, frowning. "Is there any objection?" he demanded. "I don’t know, _alter Junge_." Seleneck hesitated, conscious again of a failing diplomacy, but goaded on by a sense of duty. "The Bauers are immensely wealthy, but they do not belong to our set, and Bauer himself is not the sort of man to whom I should like to trust a young fellow—or, indeed, any one," he added almost inaudibly. "What do you mean by that?" Seleneck faced the stern eyes with the courage of desperation.