.

.
They were speaking in German among themselves, but those having a limited knowledge of French frequently availed themselves of that language in order that their guest might understand them.

Those who could only mumble a few words, repeated them to an accompaniment of amiable smiles.

All were displaying an amicable desire to propitiate the owner of the castle.
"You are going to lunch with the barbarians," said the Count, offering him a seat at his side.

"Aren't you afraid that we may eat you alive ?" The Germans burst into roars of laughter at the wit of His Excellency.
They all took great pains to demonstrate by word and manner that barbarity was wrongly attributed to them by their enemies.
Don Marcelo looked from one to another.