to have a charge ſuch as this brought againſt him, was not permitted to look up—it is a doubt whom we might not meet crawling on all fours. [he accidentally taps the Baron’s ſhoulder.]
Baron [ſtarts—recollects himſelf—then in a faultering voice].
Yet—nevertheleſs—the act is ſo atrocious—
Count.
But nothing new.
Baron [faintly].
Yes—I hope—I hope it is new.
Count.
What, did you never meet with ſuch a thing before?
Baron [agitated].
If I have—I pronounced the man who ſo offended—a villain.
Count.
You are ſingularly ſcrupulous. I queſtion if the man thought himfelf ſo.
Baron.
Yes he did.
Count.
How do you know ?
Baron [heſitating].
I have heard him ſay ſo.
Count.
But he ate, drank, and ſlept, I ſuppoſe?
Baron [confuſed].
Perhaps he did.
