“Yes; what do you think of her?”

“Oh, she is perfectly lovely⁠—what a complexion! And such magnificent hair! Is she French?”

“No; a Venetian.”

“And her name is⁠—”

“Countess G⁠⸺.”

“Ah, I know her by name!” exclaimed Albert; “she is said to possess as much wit and cleverness as beauty. I was to have been presented to her when I met her at Madame Villefort’s ball.”

“Shall I assist you in repairing your negligence?” asked Franz.

“My dear fellow, are you really on such good terms with her as to venture to take me to her box?”