It may be.

At all events I did suspect the rich and dandified old baron of desiring to have a laugh by putting Nino into some absurd situation.

He had such strange views, or, at least, he talked so oddly, that I did not believe half he said.

It is not possible that anybody should seriously hold the opinions he professed.
When he was gone I sat alone, pondering on this situation, which was like a very difficult problem in a nightmare, that could not or would not look sensible, do what I would.

It chanced that I got a letter from Nino that evening, and I confess I was reluctant to open it, fearing that he would reproach me with not having taken more pains to help him.