"And?"
"And disastrous."
"I don't mind that, but should not you take care?"
"You are forgetting that I am a soldier, and therefore inured to risks."
She laughed. "You've a confoundedly ready tongue! Come, take me back into the ballroom: my reputation won't stand all this sitting about in antechambers, I can tell you."
He rose at once, but said: "I wonder why you chose to tell me that?"
She too was on her feet; she had to look up to meet his eyes, but only a little. "You don't like it, do you?"
"No. I don't."
"Nevertheless, it is the truth. I play fair, you see."
He looked at her for a moment, half smiling, then raised his head, and held up a finger. "Listen! Do you know that waltz they are playing? It has been the rage in Vienna. Will you dance with me again?"