Everyone else was standing, save that impudent young dog Fritz, who was lounging easily in an armchair, and flirting with the Countess Helga.

He leapt up as I entered, with a deferential alacrity that lent point to his former nonchalance.

I had no difficulty in understanding that the duke might not like young Fritz.
I held out my hand, Michael took it, and I embraced him.

Then I drew him with me into the inner room.
"Brother," I said, "if I had known you were here, you should not have waited a moment before I asked the princess to permit me to bring you to her." He thanked me, but coldly.

The man had many qualities, but he could not hide his feelings.