In the meantime Nino carolled out one love song after another.

He saw, however, that the situation was untenable, and after a while he rose to go.

Strange to say, although the baroness had asked Nino to breakfast and the hour was now at hand, she made no effort to retain him.

But she gave him her hand, and said many flattering and pleasing things, which, however, neither flattered nor pleased him.

As for Hedwig, she bent her head a little, but said nothing, as he bowed before her.