"The devil! No indiscretion, dear sir!" "Let me finish, please. I say that monseigneur makes a convenience of the unconquerable ingenuousness of his godson." "Well and good. And I think with you that the prince does not see this handsome boy exposed to the temptations of wicked Paris, without some anxiety. But what are you smiling at, my dear sir?" "Nothing." "Do you think that Count Frantz has had some love affair, in spite of his apparent innocence?" "You can see after a little, gentlemen, all the fine things a smile may mean, for I call you to witness I am satisfied with smiling." "Seriously, my dear sir, what do you think of Count Frantz?" "I think nothing, I say nothing, I shall be as mute as a diplomatist whose interest it is to keep silent, or as a young officer of the noble guards when he passes, for the first time, under the inspection of monseigneur." "The truth is, the prince has a glance which intimidates the boldest. But to return to Count Frantz." This conversation was interrupted by a number of persons who entered the official chamber. The newcomers banished the thought of Count Frantz, and two or three voices asked at once: "Well, what about your sightseeing? Is this famous manufactory in the Faubourg St. Marceau worth the trouble of a visit?" "For my part, gentlemen, I am always very curious about the construction of machinery," replied one who had just entered. "The whole morning has been interesting, and I declare M. Charles Dutertre, the proprietor of this factory, one of the most accomplished and intelligent machinists that I know, besides being a most agreeable man; I intend to persuade monseigneur to visit his workshops." "Well and good, my dear sir; we will not accuse you of wasting your time in frivolities, but I have not such high pretensions, and my pretension is only in a state of hope." "And what hope?" "To be invited to dine with the celebrated Doctor Gasterini." "The most illustrious, the most profound gourmand of Europe." "They say, really, that his table is an ideal of the paradise of gourmands." "I do not know, alas! if this paradise will be as open to me as the other, but I hope so." "I confess my weakness. Of all that I have seen in Paris, what has most charmed me, fascinated me, dazzled me, I will even say instructed--" "Well, is what?" "It is--our proud and modest Germany will blush at the blasphemy--it is--" "Do finish!" "It is the Mabille ball!" The laughter and the exclamations provoked by this frank avowal lasted until one of the secretaries of the archduke entered, holding two letters in his hand, and saying, gaily: "Gentlemen, fresh news from Bologna and Venice!" "Bravo, my dear Ulrik, what news?" "The most curious, the most extraordinary in the world!" "Really?" "Quick, tell us, dear Ulrik." "In the first place, Bologna, and Venice afterward, have been for several days in a state of incredible agitation, for reason of a series of events not less incredible."