"Now I must venture to interrupt your _tête-à-tête_," said von Wallbach, entering from the reception room.--"The company is complete; only Ottomar, whose companionship we must forego, and the Baroness are wanting." "I forgot to state," said Giraldi, greeting von Wallbach, "the Baroness wishes me to excuse her--an indisposition--her overwrought nerves----" "Oh!" said von Wallbach, "what a pity! Would you have the kindness, Carla, to tell Luise? It will make no further disturbance, as I was to conduct the Baroness; you, Mr. Giraldi, Baroness Kniebreche has requested to accompany her." Giraldi bowed; Carla went out. "One moment," whispered von Wallbach, drawing Giraldi back by the arm, "I am glad, very glad, that the Baroness is not coming. This is a day of surprises. This morning, Golm, to the unspeakable astonishment of all of us--Lübbener can't compose himself yet--paid down in one lump the half million; the concession, for whose publication we should have had to wait weeks, as there was always a question of the security, will be printed tomorrow in the _Staatsanzeiger_--yes, yes, my dear Sir, you may depend upon it! I have it with absolute certainty from Privy Councilor von Strumm, who only begs that we shall not betray him.--It is to be a delightful surprise for us, coming from the Minister; and--and--dear friend!--I am not easily disconcerted, but _c'est plus fort que moi_--from the same absolutely reliable source I learn that the General does not appear in the Army promotions, which are likewise to be published tomorrow." "That means?" asked Giraldi. "That means that he has been passed over, that he--according to our notions--must retire for the sake of appearances." "How strange!" said Giraldi. "So it is, and can't be otherwise," continued von Wallbach with emotion; "I should be able to understand the step, indeed, the necessity of it, if only by removing him our matter could be put through; as it is, however, as we have the concession in our pocket without that----" "An unnecessary cruelty," said Giraldi. "Isn't it? And one that will have other consequences. I prophesy that Ottomar will not go to St. Petersburg." "That would be more than cruel--that would be ridiculous," said Giraldi. "You don't understand our conditions; our people are very consistent in such things." Giraldi was spared the answer. In the door of the reception room appeared, leaning on Carla's arm, the bent form of an old lady, who moved to and fro a gigantic black fan, and exclaimed with a loud metallic voice: "If Mr. Giraldi doesn't come to old Kniebreche, old Kniebreche must come to Mr. Giraldi." "I come on wings!" said Giraldi. * * * * *