Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/264

 powered by fatigue, he had fallen asleep in the church, and dreamt a very heavy dream."

Here Count Selami concluded his story, which was received with loud bursts of applause, though every one present guessed baron Hompesch to be the hero of it. The latter was now as mute and as chopfallen as in that night, but from prudential motives, he refrained from immediately giving way to his choler.

The drollest circumstance was, that the gigantic Naros was also one of the company, and exclaimed; "Hang me! I was devilishly afraid!"

—"Was you there?" asked several of the ladies.

—"To be sure," added he, "and the Baron Hompesch was not far off."

Several loud peals of laughter ensued; but the baron thought proper to swallow the pill, and wait an opportunity of being avenged of the count, for the mortification he had endured; and this opportunity presented itself, as will be found, that same morning.