Pagina 642 de 2288

"Oh, here's Madame Stahl," said Kitty, indicating an invalid

carriage, where, propped on pillows, something in gray and blue

was lying under a sunshade. This was Madame Stahl. Behind her

stood the gloomy, healthy-looking German workman who pushed the

carriage. Close by was standing a flaxen-headed Swedish count,

whom Kitty knew by name. Several invalids were lingering near the

low carriage, staring at the lady as though she were some

curiosity.

The prince went up to her, and Kitty detected that disconcerting

gleam of irony in his eyes. He went up to Madame Stahl, and

addressed her with extreme courtesy and affability in that

excellent French that so few speak nowadays.

"I don't know if you remember me, but I must recall myself to

thank you for your kindness to my daughter," he said, taking off

his hat and not putting it on again.