Now we entered the station. With a great
effort I calmed myself. I lolled back in my seat; when we stopped
I sat there till a porter opened the door. In lazy leisureliness
I bade him get me a cab, and followed him across the station. He
held the door for me, and, giving him his douceur, I set my foot
on the step.
"Tell him to drive to the palace," said I, "and be quick. I'm
late already, thanks to this cursed train."
"The old mare'll soon take you there, sir," said the driver. I
jumped in. But at this moment I saw a man on the platform
beckoning with his hand and hastening towards me. The cabman also
saw him and waited. I dared not tell him to drive on, for I
feared to betray any undue haste, and it would have looked
strange not to spare a moment to my wife's cousin, Anton von
Strofzin. He came up, holding out his hand,delicately gloved in
pearl-gray kid, for young Anton was a leader of the Strelsau
dandies.
"Ah, my dear Fritz!" said he. "I am glad I hold no appointment at
court. How dreadfully active you all are! I thought you were
settled at Zenda for a month?"
"The queen changed her mind suddenly," said I, smiling. "Ladies
do, as you know well, you who know all about them.
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