"But as an unlimited liability company, if I may venture to advise," said Herr Lübbener. "Under the title of Love and Wine," said the Councillor. "I propose as solicitor Councillor Schieler," cried the Count, who was not going to be behindhand. The motion was carried with applause. The Councillor accepted the honour with thanks, and began to draw up the prospectus of the company, in which the others helped, and each tried to outdo the rest in suggestions. The plan was of a railroad to the moon, with a proviso for a continuation of the line to the Great Bear as soon as the man in the moon should have converted his last silver crescent into cash. Philip proposed that the capital should be seven thousand million fixed stars; at which the company's lawyer thought it necessary to observe that this word might arouse an unpleasant connection of ideas on the Stock Exchange; would not "comets" inspire more confidence? But then it must be ten thousand million, as too many false ones were in circulation, which even in the weights could not be distinguished from falling stars. The ten millions were immediately subscribed. Ottomar and Bertalda, who subscribed for the smallest sums, were not permitted the honour of being amongst the directors, who were grouped at one end of the table, but had to take their places as mere shareholders at the other end. The Count was to be chairman, with Victorine as deputy. The Count protested that Victorine ought to be president; they argued, they fought, they quarrelled in due form. Bertalda seized the opportunity to draw Ottomar away from the table to a sofa close by. "Why have you not been to see me for a year, Ottomar?" "I am going to be married, my dear child." "Have you got another love?" "I have not got another love." "Why are there clouds then on your beautiful brow? why do you look so sad, darling Ottomar?" "Dear Bertalda!" "Am I that indeed? Do you still love me a very little?" "Yes! yes!" "Then"--she throve her arm round his neck and, putting her mouth close to his ear, whispered a few words just as a roar of laughter came from the table. Ottomar sprang up. "They are calling us." The girl sank in the corner, and with closed eyes waited for his return and his answer, with her full lips pouting for a kiss.