“I must thank you for the splendid violets, Prince.”
“Oh, only a modest greeting.”
The prince remained a long time near Franka, engaging her in lively conversation. That attracted the attention of the two aunts and their friends.
“Well, it looks as if Franka had a very zealous suitor: who may it be?”
Malhof happened to be able to inform them.
“Indeed?” exclaimed Tante Adele thoughtfully. “A prince from the ruling house! That is dangerous. He certainly couldn’t marry her.”
Malhof shrugged his shoulders. “As if marriage must always be in the wind! I am curious to know whether the sermons preached up there for the welfare of humanity will not be directed also against the oppressive chains of marriage.”
“Nothing is sacred to you!” sighed the countess. “Besides, as you never were married, you cannot judge of marriage.”
“For the very reason that I have judged, I remained single.”
Coriolan sat with a terribly bored expression. He understood so little French that all the points of the reading he had heard had wholly escaped him; finally he had given up all attempt to listen. In his heart he was already repenting that he had ever taken this journey. The whole thing displeased him.... At the Apollo Theater it is more amusing ... there one understands everything ... and then this Rose-Masquerade....