"
"A most excellent accomplishment!" laughingly exclaimed the baroness. "I
am devoted to gossip; and I shall manage to have some ailment every few
days in order to have the doctor come to see me!"
Then came the surveyor's turn.
"This, your ladyship, is Herr Martin Doboka, county surveyor and expert
mathematician. He will measure for you land, water, or fog; and if your
watch stops going, he will repair it for you!"
"And who may this be?" smilingly inquired the lady, indicating the
vice-palatine's assistant, who had thrust his long neck inquisitively
forward.
"Oh, he is n't anybody!" replied the vice-palatine. "He is never called
by name. When you want him just say: '_Audiat!_' He is one of those
persons of whom Cziraky said: 'My lad, don't trouble yourself to inquire
where you shall seat yourself at table; for wherever you sit will always
be the lowest place!'"
This anecdote caused "Audiat" to draw back his head and seek to make
himself invisible.
"And now, I must present myself: I am the vice-palatine of this county,
and am called Bernat Goeroemboelyi von Dravakeresztur."
"My dear sir!" ejaculated the baroness, laughing heartily, "I could n't
commit all that to memory in three years!"
"That is exactly the way your ladyship's name affects me!"
"Then I will tell you what we will do.
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