"You do nothing but harm with your cold calculations and your bitter jests." Hedwig was silent.

"Tell me," he continued presently, "if I speak soberly, by the card as it were, will you listen to me ?" "Oh, I have said that I will listen to you!" cried Hedwig, losing patience.
"Hedwig von Lira, I hereby offer you my fortune, my name, and myself.
I ask you to marry me of your own good will and pleasure." Hedwig once more raised her brows.
"Baron Benoni, I will not marry you, either for your fortune, your name, or yourself,--nor for any other consideration under heaven.

And I will ask you not to address me by my Christian name." There was a long silence after this speech, and Benoni carefully lighted a second cigarette.

Hedwig would have risen and entered the house, but she felt safer in the free air of the sunny court.

As for Benoni, he had no intention of going.
"I suppose you are aware, countess," he said at last, coldly eying her, "that your father has set his heart upon our union ?" "I am aware of it." "But you are not aware of the consequences of your refusal.