The Breaking of the Storm by Friedrich Spielhagen

"You will see, Carla, he will not come today either," said Frau von Wallbach, trying to find if possible a more comfortable position in her armchair.

"Je le plains, je le blâme, mais -- " Carla, who was sitting at the piano, played a scale very softly with her right hand.

"And Fräulein von Strummin has also gone away without paying us a farewell visit."

"Silly little thing," said Carla, repeating her scale.

"And Elsa has never once been here to apologise for the omission."

"So much the worse for her," said Carla.

"I wash my hands of the blame," said Frau von Wallbach, slowly rising and going into the reception-room which some of the dinner guests were entering.

Carla was also getting up, but remained sitting when she heard that it was a lady, and moreover one of little importance. She let her hands fall into her lap, and looked thoughtfully down before her.

"He is not half so clever, he often evidently does not understand what I say; I think even he is un peu bête. But he -- adores me. Why should I give up my adorers for a betrothed who never troubles himself about me? He would soon drive them all away."

The door behind her into the anteroom was opened. Only intimate friends at small entertainments ever entered through this apartment -- her room. The newcomer must be either Ottomar or the Count. She had heard nothing, and as the steps came nearer over the thick carpet, let her fingers wander dreamily over the keys, "Already sends the Graal to seek the loiterer -- "

"Fräulein von Wallbach!"

"Ah! my dear Count," said Carla, looking up a little, and giving the Count her left hand over her shoulder, whilst the right played "My Trusty Swan. " "Will you not go first and say ‘how do you do' to Louisa? She is in the drawing-room with Frau von Arnfeld."

The Count lifted the carelessly-given hand to his lips, "And then? " he asked.

"You can return here -- I have something to say to you."

The Count came back in half a minute.

"Draw that chair here -- not so near -- there -- and don't let my strumming disturb you. Do you know, my dear Count, that you are a very dangerous man!"

"My dear Fräulein von Wallbach! " cried the Count, as he twirled his moustaches.

"You must be so, when even Louisa already thinks so. She has just preached me the most charming sermon."

"But what have I done? All the world worships you; why should I not dare what all the world may do?"

"Because you are not all the world."