“But, yes—run along and search for your prince.”
“Confound the prince,” said the baron. “Let us go to Ciro’s—I am sure you are thirsty. Besides, I have still much to say to you.”
The countess hesitated. It would not do to be too docile to this Lappo—a little discipline might strengthen her position.
“Prove that you forgive me,” he urged.
“Very well,” she agreed. After all, she wanted to hear what he had still to tell her.
“Alors,” he went on, half to himself, as they moved together back through the rooms, “the worst that he can do is to borrow some money from this new friend. One debt more—that is nothing; there are already so many!”
The countess looked at him with a little smile.
“Why do you do it?” she asked.
“Do what?”
“Annoy yourself in this way. If your country chooses to be a republic, why not go and amuse yourself somewhere else? Paris is much livelier than Goritza.”