“Please don’t let’s quarrel,” she said impulsively, forgetting that she was annoyed with him. “I really am worried about the poor woman.”
“And I am worried about you,” he answered. “You must see my position in this matter, since I have to get you to Meldenstein, can you not imagine what might be said if you arrive a day late with no valid explanation for our lingering on the way?”
Her eyes widened for a moment and then despite herself she felt her lips twitch.
“They should have sent me someone old, stout-bellied and pompous as an escort,” she said.
She saw that she had amused him, although for a moment he fought against it.
Then he suddenly burst out laughing.
“You are incorrigible,” he said. “Yes, I agree, the choice was not a very wise one with our chaperone wilting on our hands an
