“It is too large.”
“And our beautiful walks?”
“Too small.”
“And what then interests you the most?”
“The bulls.”
The conversation stopped here. It was resumed by the countess after a long pause—
“Allow me to pray your husband to place himself at the piano.”
“Whenever it pleases you.”
Stein took his place at the piano. Maria, whose hand the duke had taken, and conducted her, placed herself at the side of her husband.
“Do you tremble, Maria?” Stein asked of her.