deep heat. The Adambergers brought gossip from the Court, too, about the quarrels that the Crown Prince was having with his mother, the aged Empress, over matters of policy, particularly the conflict in Silesia, where Oettingen had been so long detained.
Klara and Akos sat side by side on the sofa. Sometimes their hands, childlike, found their way together. They had to remember to move apart, remind themselves that they were not alone, especially when Olympia's bright eyes seemed to be noticing.
She spent some time asking Akos questions about Prague, his nearest big city. She had apparently visited there during her ingénue days and enjoyed it very much. While she did talked and Akos answered, Adamberger drank his tea, taking small, cautious sips, which made the delicate cup even more preposterous in his large, well-cared for hands. Klara was aware that her friends were studying Almassy closely.
After an hour which passed all to o quickly for the company-starved Klara, Florian drew out a large, heavily jeweled pocket watch.
“For once, I believe it is actually running! Wonderful convenient things, watches, when they are not in need of repair.”
“A beautiful piece of work, Herr Adamberger.”
“Oh, he’s so naughty!” Olympia patted her husband’s arm. “He’s showing off his present from Baron von Schlegal.”
“The Baron must have been well-satisfied.” Klara’s eyes widened as she took in the number of jewels encircling the gold case.
“Indeed,” said Akos. “A princely gift.”
“Ducats would have been more immediately useful, but sometimes it is a treat to brandish such a toy.”
Everyone nodded. This watch would be worth a tidy sum from any pawnshop, but it also was a fine advertisement for the singer who could afford to wear it.
“Nevertheless, I am trying to say, my dearest wife, that it is well onto 3:00 and you must use the light to return home. I must to the theater to earn our bread. We’re so happy to see you on the mend, Klara, and to meet the Concertmaster.”
With farewells and many bows and promises to visit soon again, the Adamergers departed. Liese carried away the cups and plates. As twilight came on, Akos and Klara were alone once again.
"They're my best friends. The only real ones, I guess. Herr Adamberger was in my very first opera. I was rather scared of him, if you can imagine, just because he was so well-known. And I was such a goose in those days – I thought he looked rather dangerous."
"It's hard to imagine you as a shy maiden." Akos smiled at her. "Herr Adamberger is an imposing character, but one look into his eyes should have told you he is a gentleman."
"I didn't see his eyes for months. They were too far up. I didn't dare to look! And the first time I ever saw him, he and Olympia were having a fight, shouting at each other in the wings of the theater. I thought a man who could yell at his wife in public must be a real brute. Now, of course, I have seen a great deal more of the world."
Akos leaned close to gently kiss her cheek.
"You know, my angel, we must be more discreet than we have just been this afternoon. I believe your friends may have already guessed a great deal about us."
"Why do you imagine the Adambergers know anything? How could they? You and Olympia talked most, and it was all about Prague."
"The look in Frau Adamberger's eyes spoke volumes. She is happy for you. Her husband is reserving judgment, but he is apprehensive on your behalf."
"Do you read people like books, Herr Concertmaster?" She caressed his lean cheek.
"Everything is in the eyes, windows through which the soul displays."
They shared another soft kiss, but even as they parted, there were footsteps, the sound of Liese's voice. Conversation came to an abrupt end. The preemptory rap was followed by a swiftly opened door.
"That careless butcher has sent over the wrong cuts again, Fraulein Silber. If you can believe it, I've been all this time trying to make the fool see what
Klara and Akos sat side by side on the sofa. Sometimes their hands, childlike, found their way together. They had to remember to move apart, remind themselves that they were not alone, especially when Olympia's bright eyes seemed to be noticing.
She spent some time asking Akos questions about Prague, his nearest big city. She had apparently visited there during her ingénue days and enjoyed it very much. While she did talked and Akos answered, Adamberger drank his tea, taking small, cautious sips, which made the delicate cup even more preposterous in his large, well-cared for hands. Klara was aware that her friends were studying Almassy closely.
After an hour which passed all to o quickly for the company-starved Klara, Florian drew out a large, heavily jeweled pocket watch.
“For once, I believe it is actually running! Wonderful convenient things, watches, when they are not in need of repair.”
“A beautiful piece of work, Herr Adamberger.”
“Oh, he’s so naughty!” Olympia patted her husband’s arm. “He’s showing off his present from Baron von Schlegal.”
“The Baron must have been well-satisfied.” Klara’s eyes widened as she took in the number of jewels encircling the gold case.
“Indeed,” said Akos. “A princely gift.”
“Ducats would have been more immediately useful, but sometimes it is a treat to brandish such a toy.”
Everyone nodded. This watch would be worth a tidy sum from any pawnshop, but it also was a fine advertisement for the singer who could afford to wear it.
“Nevertheless, I am trying to say, my dearest wife, that it is well onto 3:00 and you must use the light to return home. I must to the theater to earn our bread. We’re so happy to see you on the mend, Klara, and to meet the Concertmaster.”
With farewells and many bows and promises to visit soon again, the Adamergers departed. Liese carried away the cups and plates. As twilight came on, Akos and Klara were alone once again.
"They're my best friends. The only real ones, I guess. Herr Adamberger was in my very first opera. I was rather scared of him, if you can imagine, just because he was so well-known. And I was such a goose in those days – I thought he looked rather dangerous."
"It's hard to imagine you as a shy maiden." Akos smiled at her. "Herr Adamberger is an imposing character, but one look into his eyes should have told you he is a gentleman."
"I didn't see his eyes for months. They were too far up. I didn't dare to look! And the first time I ever saw him, he and Olympia were having a fight, shouting at each other in the wings of the theater. I thought a man who could yell at his wife in public must be a real brute. Now, of course, I have seen a great deal more of the world."
Akos leaned close to gently kiss her cheek.
"You know, my angel, we must be more discreet than we have just been this afternoon. I believe your friends may have already guessed a great deal about us."
"Why do you imagine the Adambergers know anything? How could they? You and Olympia talked most, and it was all about Prague."
"The look in Frau Adamberger's eyes spoke volumes. She is happy for you. Her husband is reserving judgment, but he is apprehensive on your behalf."
"Do you read people like books, Herr Concertmaster?" She caressed his lean cheek.
"Everything is in the eyes, windows through which the soul displays."
They shared another soft kiss, but even as they parted, there were footsteps, the sound of Liese's voice. Conversation came to an abrupt end. The preemptory rap was followed by a swiftly opened door.
"That careless butcher has sent over the wrong cuts again, Fraulein Silber. If you can believe it, I've been all this time trying to make the fool see what
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