"You don't mean that!"
"Yes, Marie Anne is sitting up with Gertrude in monseigneur's ante-room."
"Then you are in no hurry to go away?"
"No, none at all. I should like to stay in your company."
"How unfortunate that you should have come in so late!" remarked Sperver;
"all the bottles are empty."
The disappointment of the discomfited major-domo excited my compassion.
The poor man would so gladly have enjoyed his widowhood. But in spite of
my endeavours to repress it a long yawn extended wide my mouth.
"Well, another time," said he, rising. "What is only put off is not given
up."
And he took his lantern.
"Good night, gentlemen."
"Stop--wait for me," cried Gideon. "I can see Fritz is sleepy; we will go
down together."
"Very gladly, Sperver; on our way we will have a word with Trumpf, the
butler. He is downstairs with the rest, and Knapwurst is telling them
tales."
"All right. Good night, Fritz."
"Good night, Gideon. Don't forget to send for me if the count is taken
worse."
"I will do as you wish. Lieverle, come."
They went out, and as they were crossing the platform I could hear the
Nideck clock strike eleven.
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