The large room had been cleared, and behind a group of palms, a polonaise was being played. Diederich bowed to Magda with the utmost correctness and conducted her triumphantly to the dance, right after Major Kunze, who was leading. Thus they passed by Guste Daimchen, who was sitting out. She was beside the hunchbacked Fraulein Kühnchen, and she looked after them as if she had been struck. Her look moved Diederich as unpleasantly as that of Herr Lauer in prison.
"Poor Guste!" said Magda. Diederich frowned. "Yes, that is what happens."
"But, as a matter of fact …" Magda smiled with downcast eyes, "happens when?"
"That doesn't matter, my child, it is so now."
"Diedel, you should ask her for a waltz afterwards."
"I can't. A man must remember what he owes to himself."
Soon after he left the room. Young Sprezius, now no longer a lieutenant, was just inviting the hunchbacked Fraulein Kühnchen away from the wall. He was doubtless thinking of her father. Guste Daimchen was left in the lurch. … Diederich took a turn through the ante-rooms, where the elderly gentlemen were playing cards. When he surprised Käthchen Zillich behind a door with an actor, she made a face at him. He reached the refreshment room, and there was Wolfgang Buck, sitting at a little table and sketching in a note-book the mothers who were waiting around the dancing room.
"Very talented," said Diederich. "Have you drawn your future bride yet?"
"In this connection she does not interest me," retorted Buck stolidly.
"I can never make you out," said he disappointedly. "I can always make you out," replied Buck. "I would like to have drawn you that time in court, when you were delivering your great monologue."
"Your speech was enough for me. It was an attempt,
