Wilhelm stayed a moment at the door
irresolute, then he went forward, and bowing to her without looking
at the hussar, said earnestly: "I came in the hope of speaking to
you alone, gnadiges Fraulein. Perhaps I may be so fortunate another
time."
At these unexpected words Loulou opened her eyes wide. Herr von
Pechlar, however, who since Wilhelm's arrival had been tugging
angrily at his red mustache, could contain himself no longer, and
said in a harsh voice, which trembled with passion:
"That is the coolest thing I have ever heard. May I ask first of all
why you cut me on entering the room?"
"I only recognize people whom I esteem," said Wilhelm over his
shoulder.
"You are a fool," flashed back Pechlar's answer.
Perfectly master of himself, Wilhelm said to Loulou, "I am extremely
sorry that I have been the cause of an outbreak of bad manners in
your presence," then he bowed and left the room, while Loulou sat
there motionless, and Herr von Pechlar gave him a scornful laugh.
With all his retirement from the world, and his indifference to the
usages of society, Wilhelm felt nevertheless a sharp stab of pain,
as if he had been struck across the face with a whip. As he walked
down the Koniggratzer Strasse it seemed to him as if a bright, fiery
wound burned on his face, and the passers-by were staring at this
sign of insult.
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