CHAPTER II
Kreisler’s afternoon encounter with Anastasya and Soltyk had resembled Tarr’s meeting with him and Bertha. Kreisler had seen Anastasya and his new café friend one day from his window. His reference to possible nose-pulling was accounted for by this. The next day he had felt rather like seeing Anastasya again somewhere. With this object, he had patrolled the neighbourhood. About four o’clock, having just bought some cigarettes at the “Berne,” he was standing outside considering a walk in the Luxemburg, when Fräulein Vasek appeared in this unshunnable circus of the Quartier du Paradis. Soltyk was with her. He went over at once. With urbane timidity, as though they had been alone, he offered his hand. She looked at Soltyk, smiling. But she showed no particular signs of wanting to escape. They began strolling along the Boulevard, Soltyk showing every sign of impatience. She then stopped.
“Mr. Soltyk and I were just going to have the ‘five o’clock’ somewhere,” she said.
Soltyk looked pointedly down the Boulevard, as though that had been an improper piece of information to communicate to Kreisler.
“If you consent to my accompanying you, Fräulein, it would give me the greatest pleasure to remain in your company a little longer.”
She laughed. “Where were we going, Louis? Didn’t you say there was a place near here?”
“There is one over there. But I’m afraid, Fräulein Vasek, I must leave you.—I have⸺”
“Oh, must you? I’m sorry.”