Stauracius, you may be gone to attend to the affairs of which we have been speaking, as I see you burn to do, and take those secretaries with you, for the scratching of their pens sets my teeth on edge.

Bide here a moment, General, for as Master of the Palace it will be your duty to receive certain guests to-day of whom I wish to speak with you.

Bide you also, Martina, that you may remember my words in case this unpractised officer should forget them." Stauracius and his secretaries bowed themselves out, leaving the three of us alone.
"Now, Olaf, or Michael--which do you wish to be called ?" "It is more easy for a man to alter his nature than his name," I answered.
"Have you altered your nature?
If so, your manners remain much what they were.

Well, then, be Olaf in private and Michael in public, for often an alias is convenient enough.

Hark! I would read you a lesson.