"Won't you sit down? I am told, doctor, you have a great talent for satire. Let me see a proof of your talent; you cannot be in want of material, if you cast a glance at the company from our place here. Which of the ladies do you think the prettiest?" "You mean the least plain?" "You scamp! It is true, though, that there is not much to be seen that is pretty. A few nice dresses, perhaps. How do you like Helen Grenwitz?" "I do not see her at all. Where can she be?" "There, on the right, near the door. She is speaking to her Cousin Felix. How do they stand with each other? Has Cousin Felix yet made his declaration?" "Certainly not to me." "I suppose not. But do you think he will propose?" "No." "Why?" "Because I consider the whole thing quite inexplicable." "Are you enthusiastic about Miss Helen?" "Infinitely so." "I suppose you take a special interest in all girls who are fresh from school?" "Only when they are really interesting." "Not always. Or do you really mean to say that Emily von Breesen deserves being called so?" "I have never been enthusiastic about her." "Well--but then she has been all the more so about you. Lisbeth was the confidante of her grief, and Lisbeth has of course told me the whole story." "Oh, that is simply impossible." "Don't be excited! You see the child has found consolation. To-day she is hand in glove with Cloten; to-morrow she will have somebody else. That girl has talent. She will do much in that line. I am only sorry for poor Cloten." "But why does he expose himself to the danger?" "Certainly--and without his Mentor's advice?" "Who is that?" "Baron Oldenburg. He probably has misunderstood his friend's advice, and will marry little Emily from mere blundering." "You are pleased to speak to me in unfathomable riddles." "I beg your pardon. Tell me, have you really become the baron's bosom friend in this short time, as report says?" "Report has, as usually, changed the mote into a beam." "Do you think I mean it well with you?" said Hortense, and looked Oswald full in the face. "I have no reason to suppose the contrary," replied the latter, who began to be peculiarly interested in the conversation, which he had begun without any purpose whatever. "Then follow my advice: have a care of the baron as of your bitterest enemy." "Why?" "Because he is false to the core of his heart." "Do you know him well? And--pardon me if I cannot at once believe so grave an accusation of a man whom, I confess, I have esteemed very highly until now--have you any evidence of his being false?" "A thousand!" "Can you mention one?" "You will not betray what I am going to tell you?" "I promise."