CHAPTER XV.
Baron Malfalconnet possessed the gift of lending Time wings and using the simplest incident as the foundation for an entertaining story.
He knew that his Majesty did not like waiting, and the quarter of an hour which Barbara had mentioned might easily become a longer period.

So he adorned the description of his ride as an envoy most generously with many partially invented details.

Wolf, Herr Peter Schlumperger, Frau Kastenmayr, his estimable sister, and the party of Ratisbon excursionists, upon whom he had scarcely bestowed a passing glance, all played a large and by no means enviable part.
But he gained his object, for the impatient monarch listened gladly, and all the more willingly in proportion to the more brilliant eloquence with which the clever connoisseur of mankind placed Barbara in contrast to all the obscure, insignificant, and ridiculous personages whom he pretended to have met.

The peculiar charm which her individuality thus obtained corresponded with the idea which the monarch himself had formed of the expected guest, and it flattered him to hear his conjecture so remarkably confirmed.
A few questions from the monarch followed the baron's report.

While the latter was still answering the last one, Chamberlain de Praet announced the singer's arrival, and Count Bueren escorted the aged Marquise de Leria to the monarch.
The Emperor went at once to the table, and as he descended the stairs, leaning lightly on Malfalconnet's arm, it was scarcely perceptible that he used the left foot less firmly than the other.
According to his command, only the small table at which he was to sit with the marquise had been laid in the dining-room.