It seemed perfectly natural to me when I found myself alone with the Princess, seated beneath a great tree in the garden with nothing to do but enjoy myself; and yet up to these last few days I had had little time in my life for idleness. As a matter of fact, I don't as a rule like to be lazy, but this morning I felt that I should have slain anyone who proposed doing anything. I wanted to be quite slack, with nothing to do but delight in my companion, a frame of mind which I found ridiculously easy to fall into. So there we sat, I am afraid without thought, on my part, of any desire to move that my companion might have had. I was for the time absolutely selfish, and, what is more, I felt as though I exulted in it. I sat and watched the Princess's face; it was well worth it, it was so fascinating with its constant change of expression. Our conversation was for the most part trivial, light and yet interesting, for to know people well, the lighter side of their natures must be studied as well as the more serious, and I was desirous to know all I could about the Princess. Presently I said:
"Tell me about Sonia's fiancé, Princess, do you like him?"
"Very much indeed, he seems to be a splendid fellow and absolutely devoted to Sonia."
"Which is quite understandable."
"What do you wish to know about him?"
"Well, I should like to know his name, and what regiment he belongs to, and anything else which you think might interest me."
"His name is Boris von Landsberg, and he is a lieutenant in a dragoon regiment now quartered in Garace; he is very good-looking."
"So is Sonia, they will make a handsome couple. Is it to be soon?"
"I am afraid not very soon."
"That's a pity; may I ask why?"