"Nonsense!" said the baron. "What's to become of your family name? Do
you think I will allow it to die out, like the Pumpernickels, the
Snaphausens, and the Ollenstoffenburgers? No, boy. I sent for you to
tell you that I have contracted for your hand with my friend the Baron
Von Steinberg."

"Really, sir, you dispose of me in a very cavalier way."

"That's because you're too careless or lazy to look out for yourself,"
retorted the baron. "But then you can have no possible objection to
the present match. The fair Julia is just twenty--eyes, you dog--lips,
you rascal--a shape, you blockhead, to bewitch an anchorite. And then
she has the gelt--the money, my boy."

"A commodity of which I happen to be minus," said the soldier.

"Arn't you my heir?" asked the baron.

"You are very kind," said the hussar, with a slight sigh.

He glanced at Adelaide, but he read no sentiment on her calm and
pensive countenance.

"She's as cold as a glacier on the Donderberg!" he muttered to
himself.

"Well, sir--you haven't given me an answer," said the baron,
impatiently.