At an angry sign from Pranken the young man was here brought to a
sudden pause. The Cabinetsrath, however, thought it his duty to add, in
consideration of Clodwig's being an influential member of the Committee
on Orders, whose good opinion was therefore important:--

"Truly, if nobleness of mind, great powers, beneficence, and worth
of character raise one to the ranks of nobility, our Herr Sonnenkamp
is--will certainly become a nobleman."

The long lieutenant considered himself a great wit, and wits are not
easily suppressed, even when they have not been drinking champagne; he
therefore exclaimed:--

"Excellent--delicious! Count von Wolfsgarten, you are the wisest of us
all; are you also of opinion that a million must have a title? I mean,
of course, not the million, but the man who has the million?"

"It is most amiable of you," replied Clodwig, "to exercise in my favor
your sovereign right to point out the wisest of us all."

"Thanks," cried the long lieutenant, "that blow told. But I pray you
let me have your opinion."

"I think," said a stout retired court-marshal who boasted of having
already lost sixteen pounds at the Baths, "I think that our noble host
has the right to require that this discussion should not be continued
at this time and in this place. Does not your Excellency agree with
me?" he added, turning to Clodwig.

Before the Count had time to answer, Sonnenkamp broke in:--

"On the contrary, I should be most happy if my honored guests would so
far favor me as to continue the discussion, and allow me to be a
listener; I should take it as a proof that they did not regard me as
stranger."

Clodwig, who had broken through his usual strict rule of temperance,
and allowed himself to be persuaded to drink two glasses of champagne,
suddenly assumed a knowing look and said:--

"In that case, Herr Sonnenkamp, let us hear your own opinion upon the
subject."

"Yes, yes," cried the long lieutenant; "the man who has earned
millions, and has got up such a fairy entertainment as this, must----"

"Pray, let Herr Sonnenkamp speak," interrupted Clodwig.

"My honored guests," began Sonnenkamp, "I have visited every part of
the inhabited globe, and have learned that there is and must be
everywhere an aristocracy, one class distinguished above the rest."

"It is so among horses and dogs," broke in the long lieutenant.
"Countess Dingsda of Russia, has two grayhounds descended from the
Empress Katherine----