Yes, she had a
remarkable voice. What a pity--but wouldn't the gentleman attend the
concert to be given that evening up at the Cafe Alm? It was, to be sure,
rather far, the cafe, but the moon would be up and if he could find his
way there he might do the company the honour of coming back with them.
The Fraeulein would sing a lot for him--Bohemian, Tyrolean, French, and
German songs. Ah, she was versatile! The man did not speak like a
peasant, and seemed a shrewd, pleasant fellow. Hugh Krayne, in excellent
though formal German, assured the other of his pleasure and accepted the
invitation. Then he looked over at Roeselein, who stood on the stage,
and as he did so she waved a crimson handkerchief at him as a friendly
sign. He took off his hat, touched significantly his own tie to indicate
a reciprocity of sentiment, and all aglow he ordered a third cup of
coffee.
The cure could take care of itself. _Man lebt nur einmal!_
II
On his way to the Alm he met the fattest man in Marienbad, a former chef
of the German emperor, and gave him a friendly salute.
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