I would do it too, thought Walter, if I were a countess-palatine. What sort of a profession is that?
The king had given audiences—and a dinner—and had said—well, the usual things. But for Walter it was new and interesting. The welfare of the city seemed to lie heavily on his majesty’s heart. It lay heavily on Walter’s heart, too; but that did not prevent Walter from admiring this peculiarity of the king. In Africa he would do the same thing.
No, away with Africa!
He threw off his left stocking so violently that it curled around the leg of the chair like a dying earthworm.
What strange things he had heard of Princess Erika! It was said that she was to have married a grand-duke, but rejected him.
The middle classes were delighted with this news; though not knowing but that it might merely have been stubbornness on the part of the princess.
She was of such a strange nature that she did not know how to behave herself in her high position.
Walter slipped off his other stocking, finding fault with the princess for disregarding the usual customs and conventions. Hm! He wondered if she would like to change places with him, and let him be Prince Erich—and she——
He wondered if she too wore an ugly nightcap. But—no! Princesses would wear caps of diamonds.
Princess Erika!