Bearing in mind that the news of the household, even of a huge castle, filtered most often through women, he smiled back at them and said pleasantly in his new German:
"Good morning. May I ask your names?"
One was blond and the other brunette, and the brunette answered:
"We're Ilse and Olga, maids of the household of His Highness, Prince Karl of Auersperg."
"And very pretty maids, too," said John gallantly, as he took off his cap and bowed. "When I look at Ilse I think she is the more beautiful, when I look at Olga I think she is the more beautiful, but when I see them together I think they are equally beautiful."
They giggled and nudged each other.
"You are the man who rode the young count's horse," said Ilse, who took the lead in talk as brunettes usually do, "and I hope you will pardon our forwardness in wishing to look at so wonderful a person."
There was a wicked little glint in her eye, but John only smiled again.
"I was lucky," he said.
"We saw you," said Olga. "We were standing on the edge of the lower terrace when you sprang into the saddle. We were sure you would be killed."