"Well, what do you think?" exclaimed Truyn, as he returned to the drawing-room, after escorting her to the hall. "What do you think, Georges?" and sitting down beside the young man he tapped him on the knee. "Capriani sends that goose Zoe in all seriousness to ask for my daughter's hand for his son. What do you say to that?" "Audacious enough," said Georges shrugging his shoulders, "but what would you have--'tis a sign of the times!" This dry way of judging of the matter did not please Truyn at all. "Ossi!" he called. "What, uncle?" The young people advanced together into the room. "I have an interesting piece of news for you. A secret agent of the _Maison Foy_ has made a proposal to-day for Ella's hand for Capriani, jr! What do you say to that?" "Ella's hand for the son of that railway Capriani!" exclaimed Oswald angrily. "Impossible! The secret agent deserves .... and he made an expressive motion with his hand. His indignation became him extremely well, and Truyn's glance rested with evident admiration upon the young fellow's athletic figure as he stood with head slightly thrown back, and eyes flashing scornfully. "Unfortunately it was a lady--Zoe Melkweyser," the elder man explained. "Then she deserves at least six months of Charenton," said Oswald, "'tis incredible!" and he clinched his hand. "Your daughter, uncle, and the son of the Conte--I suppose he is a Conte--or a Marchese perhaps--Capriani! You know that little orang-outang, Georges?" "Of course, one meets him everywhere. He addressed me by my first name yesterday," Georges replied calmly. "Ah, my dear friends, you entirely misconceive this extraordinary proposal. For my part, I see in it no personal insult to the Countess Gabrielle, but simply a symptom of an approaching social earthquake. The triumph of the tradesman is manifest everywhere. Zola in his most prominent work has celebrated the apotheosis of the bag-man and the shop-girl; Chapu has designed the facade of the latest millinery establishment; Paris will yet see the Bourse hold its sessions in _La Madeleine_, and the _Bon Marche_ will set up a branch of its trade in _Notre Dame_." "Likely enough," said Truyn with a troubled sigh, "I am only surprised that Capriani has not tried to be President of the French Republic." "He has not thought the position at present a favourable one for his speculations," said Georges, "but what is not, may be." "Ah, I am proud of my Austria," said Truyn, suddenly becoming stiff and wooden of aspect. "Such adventurers have at least no position there." "Do not be too proud of your Austria," rejoined Georges, "I heard something at the embassy to-day that will hardly please you. _Id est_, Capriani has bought Schneeburg and will be your nearest neighbour in Bohemia." Truyn started to his feet. "Capriani .... Schneeburg .... impossible! How could Malzin bring himself to such a sacrifice!"