Part 13 (1/2)

MARGOT: ”Ad a civil word to me the whole time I was in Dresden Poor mamma! If she were here now she would feel that her letter to you on the danger of my elopement was amply justified!”

Frau von Mach and I sat side by side at the opera; and on my left was a German officer In front of us there was a lady with beautiful hair and diahters sat on either side of her

Everything was conducted in the dark and it was evident that the audience was strung up to a high pitch of expectant emotion, for, when I whispered to Frau von Mach, the officer on ht extre on the nape of their necks, had covered their faces with pocket-handkerchiefs, which I thought infinitely ridiculous, bursting as they ith beef and beer Mythan the white officer He kept a rigid profile towardsan arm of the stall with hts running, I found this a little exaggerated

I was angry withmy fan and scent-bottle; the lady picked up the bottle and the officer the fan The lady gavetothe scene to look at land and had heard Rubinstein and Joachim play at the Monday Pops She had been to the Tower of London, Madame Tussaud's and Lord's

The officer keptout in the entr'acte, stayed and listened to our conversation When the curtain went up and the people returned to their seats, he still held irls went out and hbour opened conversation with lish:

”Are you really as fond of this music as you appear to be?”

To which I replied:

”You i; why should you think I do? I don't lean back perspiring or cover , it is true, but”

HE (interrupting): ”I anise arather nettled, I said:

”You nise any ner!”

I said this with a coesture, but I was far froarette- case, took out a visiting card and wrote the Schlu hi na ht twinkle:

”Won't you write me a motif now?”

MARGOT: ”Alas! I can't write music and to save my life could not do what you have done; are you a composer?”

GRAF VON--: ”I shan't tell you what I aiven you my na lady at large!”

At this, Frau von Mach nudged ht she wanted to be introduced, so I looked at his name and said seriously:

”Graf von--, this is my friend Frau von Mach”

He instantly stood up, bent his head and, clicking his heels, said to her:

”Will you please introducelady?”

FRAU VON MACH (with a sot Tennant”