“I am afraid if we offer them double that we shall not procure a carriage.”
“Then they must put horses to mine. It is a little worse for the journey, but that’s no matter.”
“There are no horses.”
Albert looked at Franz like a man who hears a reply he does not understand.
“Do you understand that, my dear Franz—no horses?” he said, “but can’t we have post-horses?”
“They have been all hired this fortnight, and there are none left but those absolutely requisite for posting.”
“What are we to say to this?” asked Franz.
“I say, that when a thing completely surpasses my comprehension, I am accustomed not to dwell on that thing, but to pass to another. Is supper ready, Signor Pastrini?”
“Yes, your excellency.”
“Well, then, let us sup.”