The master of the house, the honourable Mr.Kecskerey, with dignified condescension, received the arrivals in the doorway.
Everybody knows that Kecskerey's money does not pay for the evening's entertainment, and he himself knows that they know it.

And yet, for all that, they bow and scrape to one another as politely as if he were a real host and they were real guests.

Mr.Kecskerey's shrill nasal voice resounded above all the din and bustle.
"I am so delighted that you have not rejected my modest invitation.

Your excellency has, indeed, honoured my poor house by your presence.
Mesdames, so kind of you not to forget the most sincere of your servants.

Sir, it is really too good of you to neglect your important studies on my account! Countess, your siren song is generally acknowledged to be the gem of the evening, etc." The amiable host laid himself out to make the diversion of his guests as free and unconstrained as possible.