The governor was cold and calm. “I am no longer expecting him, Countess, it is true.” “General,” said the countess, turning, “I thought we were alone. Who is this?” The countess looked searchingly at Ordener, who bowed. “Really,” she continued, “I never saw him but once; still, if it were not for that dress, I should say--General, is this the viceroy’s son?” “Himself, noble lady,” said Ordener, with another bow. The countess smiled. “In that case, permit a lady who will soon be more closely allied to you, to ask where you were yesterday, Count?” “Count! I do not think that I am so unfortunate as to have lost my noble father yet, my lady countess.” “Certainly not; that was not my meaning. It is better to become a count by taking a wife than by losing a father.” “One is no better than the other, noble lady.” The countess, although slightly confused, made up her mind to laugh heartily. “Come, the stories that I have heard are true. Your manners are somewhat boorish; but you will grow more used to accepting gifts from fair hands when Ulrica d’Ahlefeld has put the chain of the Order of the Elephant about your neck.” “A chain indeed!” said Ordener. “You will see, General Levin,” resumed the countess, whose laugh was somewhat forced, “that your intractable pupil will not consent to receive his colonel’s brevet from a lady’s hand either.” “You are right, Countess,” replied Ordener; “a man who wears a sword ought not to owe his epaulettes to a petticoat.” The great lady’s face darkened. “Ho! ho! whence comes the baron? Is it really true that your Highness was not at Munkholm yesterday?” “Noble lady, I do not always satisfy all questions. But, General, you and I will meet again.” Then, pressing the old man’s hand and bowing to the countess, he quitted the room, leaving the lady, amazed at the extent of her own ignorance, alone with the governor, who was furious at the amount of his knowledge. XII. The fellow that sits next him now, parts bread with him, and pledges the breath of him in a divided draught, is the readiest man to kill him.--SHAKESPEARE: _Timon of Athens_.