When it was over she led me to the garden, and then excused herself.
“I manage all my matters myself. I shall not be long, and then shall be at your service.”
“I must see you as soon as possible,” I said as she went off and Madame Korvata came out of the house smoking her cigarette. I lit a cigar, and the old lady waited and then said abruptly:
“I like your face, monsieur. You are like our Emperor. But how did you come to know Helga?”
The question was very simple, but yet embarrassing; and when I hesitated how to reply, she saw it and smiled.
“Don’t answer unless you like. I hate bothersome questions myself, and never press them. I always pretend never to hear them, indeed. A deaf ear saves a lot of trouble. You think Helga pretty?”
“Mademoiselle is far more than pretty; she is beautiful.”
The old lady smiled at my enthusiasm, and took a couple of puffs at her cigarette while she looked at me.
“Ah, they all say that, monsieur.”
“All, madame?”