"His Excellency the general."
She had scarcely time to retire when the general appeared. He paused on the threshold for an instant, and looked inquiringly from mother to son. "Since when have the laws of etiquette been so strictly observed in our house?" he asked. "I am to be announced, I see, Hortense."
"I do not know why Marion announced you; she knows that such formality is quite superfluous."
"Certainly, if it were not ordered; her voice sounded as if raised in warning."
With these words Steinrück sat down beside his daughter-in-law, acknowledging by only a slight nod his grandson's 'good-morning.' Mother and son had hitherto spoken in French, but now they instantly had recourse to German; and the general continued: "I came to ask for an explanation, Hortense. I have just heard that two rooms in the castle have been prepared for guests by your orders. I thought our relatives were to be our only guests this year. Whom have you invited?"
"It is only for a brief visit, papa," the Countess explained. "Some acquaintances of ours have been staying at Wildbad, and on their way home wish to spend two or three days with us. I heard of their coming only this morning, or I should have told you."
"Indeed! I should like to know whom you expect."
"Henri de Clermont and his sister."
"I am sorry that I was not consulted about this invitation,--I should not have allowed it."
"It was given for Raoul's sake, at his particular request."