"What is it you wish, Colonel? I am at your service.

" "I have now quite settled in my new rooms, Count" (Berg said this with perfect conviction that this information could not but be agreeable), "and so I wish to arrange just a small party for my own and my wife's friends.

" (He smiled still more pleasantly.

) "I wished to ask the countess and you to do me the honor of coming to tea and to supper.