Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/268

 not finding, he rung for his servants so violently, as to break the bell-string.

Meanwhile the baron got out of bed, and more fortunate than the count, found his own sword, which was at the bedside. While the fair milliner was screaming out for assistance, her paramour in his shirt, made up to my friend, who with his breeches in one hand, and the baron's cane in the other, difficultly parried his attacks. The count was an excellent fencer; he now acted on the offensive, and gave his opponent such a vigorous push on the pit of his stomach, as to throw him reeling on the floor, loudly howling for mercy.

The lady perfectly seconded the baron's cries, and thereby roused from sleep all those whom the count's ringing had not yet awakened. Down came soon after a group of half-naked servants, cook, butler and valets, who were joined by our coachmen with their whips. The count's coachman immediately flogged the stranger, who had by this time been permitted to rise, so ef-