The nightingales did not sing--they screamed.

And the roses were odorless.

Perhaps all this change to gloom was within me rather than without, but it existed just the same, and I went home and to bed, hating all the world save Bettina, whom I vowed for the hundredth time never to see again.
The next day at noon De Grammont came to my closet, where I had waited for him all morning.
"Welcome to you, dear count!" I cried, leading him by the hand to a chair.
"Perhaps you will not so warmly welcome me," he returned, "when you learn my errand." "I already know your errand, Count Grammont, and it makes you doubly welcome," I answered, drawing a chair for myself and sitting down in front of him.
"Ah, that is of good," he returned, rubbing his hands.

"You already know the purpose of my visit ?" "Yes, I do, my dear count, but any purpose would delight me which brings the pleasure of your company." "Ah, it is said like a civilized man," he returned, complimenting me by speaking English, though I shall not attempt to reproduce his pronunciation.

"How far better it is to say: 'Monsieur, permit to me,' before one runs a man through than to do it as though one were sticking a mere pig.