"So it is," muttered Hans. "Only when he wins, you understand," said Granow, laughing at his own wit. "He considers it vicious to take from other people the money which they very likely need. He has no need of money himself; have you Hans?" "Got no use for it," said Hans. "There, you hear him yourself; he has got no use for it. He must marry, that's the thing for him; then he will find out a use for his money. We were just now talking about it." Hans's red face took a somewhat deeper shade, and he cast a shy look at me. It struck me that I had myself been one of the subjects of their conversation. "He will not find it so easy as you who have only to ask and have," I said. "I do not understand you," said the little man, with evident embarrassment. "I mean that this is what you told me yourself the day before yesterday," I answered. "You even mentioned names; but it can't be managed; it really can't, although Herr von Granow has considered the matter from every side." I uttered the last words in an ironical tone, turning to Hans as I spoke. Hans, whose head was never particularly clear, could catch no glimpse of my meaning at all; but Herr von Granow understood me perfectly. "A jest should not be taken more seriously than it is meant," he said, pouring himself out a glass of wine with a hand that visibly shook. "Or better, one should not venture to jest upon certain subjects at all," I retorted, following his example. "I am old enough not to need any admonitions from you," said the little man, with a pitiful attempt to assume an intimidating tone. "And yet you have not yet learned to bridle your tongue," I replied, looking him steadily in the face. "It seems you intend to insult me, young man," he cried, setting down hastily the glass of which he had only tasted. "Shall I make that fact clear to you by throwing this glass in your face?" "Gentlemen! gentlemen!" cried Hans. "Enough!" exclaimed the little man, pushing back his chair and rising; "I will bear these insults no longer. I will have satisfaction, if this gentleman is entitled to be dealt with in that way." "My father is a respectable officer in the customs," I answered; "my grandfather was a minister, and so was my great-grandfather. Yours was a shepherd, was he not?" "We shall meet again," cried the little man, rushing out of the room, banging the door after him. In another moment we heard his carriage rattling over the pavement of the court. CHAPTER XVI. "Now, what is the meaning of all this?" asked Hans, who had never moved from his chair during the whole scene. I broke into loud laughter. "It means," I replied, "that Herr von Granow is a blackguard who has had the audacity to defame a lady whom we both respect, in a manner which deserves far more serious treatment; but besides this, I wanted to get him away--I must speak to you. You must help me--you must help him----"