"Had we not better put it in writing?" asked the Councillor. "Are we not carrying the joke a little too far?" said the Count, with an uncertain, inquiring glance at the last speaker, who answered it with an encouraging smile. But the right moment it seemed was past. For the first time there was a pause, which Philip assumed to think was caused by a servant bringing him a waiter, on which lay two visiting cards, and whispering something as he stood near him. "Can't I have a moment to myself? Well, what is it?" He took the cards from the waiter and broke into a laugh. "This is a good joke!" "May I ask what?" "I hardly dare say, Count Golm, for fear of damaging my reputation as a serious man in the eyes of my friends here. I can show the cards to a man of the world." "Then let us see the cards," said Herr Lübbener. The Councillor looked astonished. "Herr von Werben could not send in two cards!" "But, good heavens!" exclaimed the Count, "don't let the ladies wait in the anteroom." "Oh no. Ladies!" exclaimed Herr Lübbener. "Two friends who are sometimes good enough to look in after the opera, or rather the ballet, to have a little supper," explained Philip. "I assure you, Lübbener, not what you are thinking of, so leave off grimacing, and imitate the deportment of our worthy friend the Councillor." "Splendid fellow!" whispered the Councillor in Herr Lübbener's ear, as the gentlemen rose. "He outdoes himself to-day," whispered Herr Lübbener in return. Philip went to meet the two ladies, who stood in the doorway with well-acted dismay. "Prisoners!" said he; "there is no use in resisting. Be reasonable!" He seized them by the hands and drew them into the room. "Permit me, Count Golm, to present you to Fräulein Victorine, the most beautiful mezzo-soprano that female throat can produce,--Fräulein Bertalda, called 'The Incomprehensible,' because no one can comprehend how she can jump so high off such little feet." "You are intolerable!" said Victorine. "For shame!" said Bertalda. "And give us something to eat instead, if you really won't let us go away again at once!" "I will have another table laid," cried Philip. "Johann!"