The baroness was rather embarrassed by his question. What was in her eyes so very remarkable in the baron, his sovereign contempt of rank, his sarcastic, ironical manner to those of his own caste--this remarkable feature, which appeared almost immaterial in her eyes, was not exactly a fit subject to be discussed with a man of low birth. She contented herself; therefore, with the vague answer:-- "The baron has very eccentric views about most things in the world, so that I am often afraid for his mind." At that moment a horseman came galloping from a by-road and stopped his horse as the carnage passed. It was a young man with a pleasant, dark face, on which a blond mustache appeared to advantage. "Ah, baroness--baron--delighted to see you," he called out, doffing his hat and riding up to the coach--"have not had the honor for an eternity----" "That is, _mon cher_," said the baroness, with her sweetest smile, "because you have not been at Grenwitz for an eternity." "Ah, very kind, baroness--very kind--baroness, you have not had the goodness yet to introduce me--Baron Felix, I suppose?" continued the dandy, lifting his hat to Oswald. "Doctor Stein," said the baroness, "my son's tutor--Baron Cloten----" "Ah, ah, indeed," said Baron Cloten; "delighted--indeed--yes, yes, what I was going to say, baroness, where are you going? if I may ask." "To Barnewitz." "Ah, just my way--quiet, Robin, quiet!" "But, Baron Cloten, it will be a large party," said the baroness, looking at his top-boots and hunting-coat. "Impossible, baroness; Barnewitz asked me yesterday, as I met him accidentally, to come over to a game of whist; but he did not say a word about a dinner-party." "It was a joke of his, you may be sure." "Ah--very likely! Barnewitz has such funny notions. Quiet, Robin!--devil of a fellow, that Barnewitz--no doubt thought it great fun to see me come into the dining-room in top-boots--spoil the fun--I beseech you, baroness--gentlemen--tell nobody you have seen me. In a quarter of an hour at Barnewitz. _Au revoir!_" Thereupon the young man threw his horse round and galloped off at full speed in the direction from which he had come. Soon afterwards the carriage drove across a rather rough corduroy road, which led straight across the farm-yard of Barnewitz up to the lawn before the great house. A servant approached to open the carriage door; in the door appeared the figure of a broad-shouldered, bearded man, who would have been superb-looking if indolence and high living had not seriously impaired the harmony of his features. It was Melitta's brother, Baron Barnewitz. "You are the very first we see," he said, showing his guests into the large room on the right hand of the hall, where they were received by Frau von Barnewitz, a pretty blondine. "You know how much I value punctuality," replied the baroness, taking the offered seat on the sofa.