I love a star--"
"Operatic? To be sure! Mademoiselle Lenormand of the Royal
Vienna is in Bleiberg. How she keeps her age!"
It was Maurice's turn to laugh.
"And that is why you came to Bleiberg! Ah, these opera singers,
had I my way, they should all be aged and homely."
"Countess, you are pulling the bit too hard," said he. "I
noticed yesterday that your horse has a very tender mouth."
"Thank you." She slacked the rein. "He was going too close to
the ditch. You were saying--"
"No, it was you who were saying that all actresses should be
aged and homely. But it is not Mademoiselle Lenormand, it is not
the peasant, nor the pantry maid."
This time she looked up quickly.
"The woman I love is too far away, so I am going to give up
thinking of her. Countess, I made a peculiar discovery this
morning."
"A discovery, Monsieur? What is it?"
"Do you see that fork in the road, a mile away? When we reach it
and turn I'll tell you what it is. If I told you now it might
spoil the ride. What a day, truly! How clear everything is! And
the air is like wine." He drew in deep breaths.
"Let us hurry and reach the fork in the road; my curiosity is
stifling me.
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