In fact the Colonel, closely shaven and dressed in the latest fashion, slender and active as he is, at a hundred paces looks like a young dandy; at twenty paces, at least like the mummy of one. Still he parries the old lady's compliments, while he shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders disparagingly.
"Positively--positively!" croaks the old woman. "And now tell me what is the news with you people in Marienbad? It is not in vain that they call you 'Le Figaro de Marienbad.'"
Marienbad, a few hours distant from Franzensbad, is the present stopping place of the Colonel.
"News? News?" grumbles the Colonel. "A mill burned down yesterday, three head of cattle and two men with it."
"Oh, cease such ordinary, horrible stories. What does society?"
"Rejoices that it has opportunity of diversion through a fair for charity."
"So? Ah!--and what else?"
"Last night Princess Barenburg's groom hung himself. Perhaps that interests you?"
"Ah, very agreeable that! Poor Clémence is unfortunate!" says the Baroness, compassionately.
"Yes, the Pancini also!" remarks the Colonel, and looks down indifferently at the flower in his buttonhole.