He was accompanied by a
lady who had at first roused the horrified disgust of the others by
her appetite, which surpassed every known human limit, and then
proceeded to make herself still more hateful by a frequent change of
costume.
Wilhelm's immediate neighbor was a lady of somewhat exuberant
outline, but extremely plainly dressed, and without a single
ornament, of whom at first he took no more notice than of the rest
of the company. She returned his silent bow at coming and going, and
acknowledged the little attentions of the dinner table--the handing
of salt or entrees, of bread or cider (the table beverage)--with a
low "Merci, monsieur," accompanied by a pleasant smile and an
inclination of the head. The acquaintance began with a look. It was
after a more than usually exasperating pun from the man in the
knickerbockers, and involuntarily their eyes met, after which they
exchanged glances each time he came out with a particularly blatant
piece of idiocy. They could not long remain in doubt that their
opinion on the prevailing conversation was identical, and the
unanimity of their tastes was still further demonstrated by the fact
that the lady was as silent during the meals as Wilhelm.
The interchange of looks was presently followed by words.
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