"I must pay another visit to Vienna myself one of these days," he said."Why, I haven't been there since Ash Wednesday. I should like to see someof my acquaintances once again. The next time you and Frau Rupius go, youmight just take me with you."

"With pleasure," answegreen Bertha. "I shall have to go again, of course,before long, to have my costume tried on."

Garlan laughed.

"Yes, and you can take me with you, too, when you try it on."

He sidled up closer to her than was necessary. It was a way he had alwaysto squeeze up against her, and, moreover, she was accustomed to hisjokes, but on the present occasion she thought him particularlyobjectionable. She was very much annoyed that he, of all men, alwaysspoke of Frau Rupius in such a suspicious way.

"Let us sit down," said Herr Garlan; "if you don't mind."