“I am only just off duty,” she laughed, “and my card is a blank.”
I was beginning a complimentary remark when my friend said, “Excuse my depriving you of five seconds of the Fräulein’s society, my dear Tyrrell, but I have a message to give her.”
They drew aside and I waited. Happening to glance at them I noticed that a cloud had come over the girl’s face; both looked grave as they spoke in an undertone, then the girl’s natural animation returned, and with a few laughing words to Von Lindheim, she left him and came to me. A swinging waltz was being played and we took several turns. When we stopped I remarked:
“Our friend, Von Lindheim, seems worried about something, I’m afraid he takes officialism too seriously.”
“An Englishman cannot understand the peculiarities of our life here.”
I was rather tired of being told that, albeit rather glad of my ignorance. Still, I did not mind the adage from this girl; she was breezy and sensible, and determined not to be too insular with respect to Buyda officialism.
“Don’t you admire the Princess?” my partner asked.
“She is very pretty.”
“Every one thinks her lovely.”
“She is not the only belle in the room.”