Dost thou not know that this is my birthday--that I alone give orders in this house to-day?
To-day everything must be done as _I_ say; and _I_ say that we will pass the time of the drive here in my room, and that thou shalt answer several silly questions which have come into my head.

And forget not that we are to 'thou' each other to-day.

And now, congratulate me nicely.

Come, let us hear it!" The count almost imperceptibly bent his knee and his head, but spoke not one word.

There are gratulations which are expressed in this manner.
"Very good! Then I am a queen for to-day, and thou art my sole subject.
Sit thou here at my feet on this taboret." The man obeyed.