He walked all round the smiling countess, begged her to walk slowly up and down the room once or twice, touched up the front locks a little, and then the back, and finally ejaculated: "Charming! Ravishing! Our head will have a great success!" He departed, after a ceremonious leave-taking.

At the door of the boudoir his servant again relieved him of his box, and carried it after him downstairs, and a few minutes later they heard his carriage drive away.
"You have not anything like that in Berlin yet," said Pilar, laughing, when the solemn and important artist had left.
"I think not," Wilhelm replied; "at least, not in the circles with which I am acquainted.

But I do not laugh at him--on the contrary, I envy him.

He takes himself so seriously, and combs with his whole soul.
Happy man!" It was about half-past ten when Pilar entered the red salon, in full ball dress.

Wilhelm was sitting by the fire reading.