“Of course! But do you consider that funny? I should like you to be in his place”...
“Well? I was once a cadet myself, and, in truth, it was the best time of my life!”
“Is he a cadet, then?”... she said rapidly, and then added: “But I thought”...
“What did you think?”...
“Nothing! Who is that lady?”
Thereupon the conversation took a different direction, and it did not return to the former subject.
And now the mazurka came to an end and we separated—until we should meet again. The ladies drove off in different directions. I went to get some supper, and met Werner.
“Aha!” he said: “so it is you! And yet you did not wish to make the acquaintance of Princess Mary otherwise than by saving her from certain death.”
“I have done better,” I replied. “I have saved her from fainting at the ball”...
“How was that? Tell me.”