An hour or so to talk over our affairs, and
I shall then have leisure to come to you for a few moments and to settle
that unfortunate affair. Not indeed, my dear Herr Fischelowitz, that I
have ever held myself responsible for the dishonest young man who wore
green spectacles. I was, indeed, a loser by him myself, in an
insignificant sum, and as he turned out to be such an indifferent
character, I do not mind acknowledging the fact. I do not think it can
harm him, if I do. No. I was not responsible for him to you, but since
your excellent wife, Frau Fischelowitz, labours under the impression that
I was, I am quite willing to accept the responsibility, and shall
therefore discharge the debt before night, as a matter of honour."
"It is very kind of you," remarked the tobacconist, smiling at the
impressive manner in which the promise was made. "But of course, Count, if
anything should prevent the arrival of your friends, you will not consider
this to be an engagement."
"Nothing will prevent the coming of those I expect, nor, if anything
could, would such an accident prevent my fulfilling an engagement which,
since your excellent wife's remarks last night, I do consider binding upon
my honour. And now, Herr Fischelowitz, with my best thanks for your
intervention this morning, I will leave you. After the vicissitudes to
which I have been exposed during the last twelve hours, my appearance is
not what I could wish it to be. I have the pleasure to wish you a very
good morning.
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