"Michael, I will not have you speak in that tone," declared Hans, with irritation. "But I am quite forgetting that Clermont asked me to present you to Frau von Nérac."
"Clermont? Ah, yes, the young Frenchman at whose house you have been visiting so often this winter. You asked me once to go there with you, I remember."
"And you refused, as usual."
"Because I have neither the time nor the inclination to extend my circle of acquaintances, at least not this year. It is very different with you; you are an artist. Have you known this Clermont long?"
"No, only this last winter, and he very politely invited me to his house. He and his sister have several times asked me to induce you to accompany me."
Rodenberg looked surprised. "Me? That is strange; they do not know me at all."
"No matter for that; they asked it out of politeness. Moreover, you will find the young widow very interesting, perhaps even dangerous."
"Indeed?"
"Oh, of course not for you. Your icy nature never melts, even in presence of the lovely Countess Steinrück, and Héloïse von Nérac cannot be called beautiful; nevertheless she might prove the fair Hertha's successful rival in a certain quarter. I once hinted to you that Count Raoul was hardly loyal to his betrothed; he frequents Clermont's house daily."
"And you think that Frau von Nérac is the attraction?" asked Michael, becoming attentive.