omance with the 'frankness and honesty'
which you take for your motto, I should consider it a favor if you
would leave me to myself and return to your patient. If, however, you
should find occasion, you may assure all who have admired the narrators
talent, that not only his style, but his inventive faculty also is yet
to be equalled; in a word, that no more shameless liar ever existed
than this fox in the sheep-skin of humility. And now I'll wish you as
good a night's rest as I trust to obtain for myself."

While uttering these words, he had accompanied the bewildered little
man to the door, opened it with a trembling hand, and closed it by no
means gently behind him. He was in a tumult of excitement, the blood
throbbed wildly in his temples, another moment and it would have been
impossible for him to have suppressed his indignation. He would have
poured forth all the bitterness of which his heart was full upon the
wretched sneak whose face, with its friendly simper, put him fairly
beside himself.

As soon as he was alone, his oppressed heart found relief in a loud,
scornful laugh. Then he went to the dressing table which stood beside
the silk canopied bed and drank a glass of water. By degrees his blood
grew calm. He went to the lofty bay-window, threw it wide open, and let
the pure night air fan his hot brow. "Am I not a fool?" he said to
himself, "to allow myself to be so much excited by that which was only
natural, and to be expected? Should it vex or humiliate me to be the
loser in a contest with such a master of hypocrisy? And ought I to
grudge the miserable knave, who has nothing better, this victory and
its costly trophies--a princess' tears and the pressure of a count's
hand? Fie upon me for allowing myself to be so overpowered with
disgust. I'm really indebted to this noble tale-bearer, for opening my
eyes to the true state of affairs. But away--away--away from here,
before the moon has disappeared behind the forest!"

He went back to the little table, opened his portfolio and commenced a
note to the count. After the disturbance of the peace of the household,
he wrote, of which he had unfortunately been the cause, he thought it
his duty to his host, as well as to the rest of the guests, to continue
no longer to be a recipient of the hospitality which had been so kindly
offered to him. He regretted that consideration for others prevented
him from giving explanations which, although his conduct might appear
a