“Wratislav was wearing some new English clothes, so, of course, he was quite happy. I overheard him telling Toni a rather amusing story about a nun and a mousetrap, which won’t bear repetition. Elsa was telling everyone else a witticism about the Triple Alliance being like a paper umbrella⁠—which seems to bear repetition with Christian fortitude.”

“Did they seem much wrapped up in each other?”

“To be candid, Elsa looked as if she were wrapped up in a horse-rug. And why let her wear saffron colour?”

“I always think it goes with her complexion.”

“Unfortunately it doesn’t. It stays with it. Ugh. Don’t forget, you’re lunching with me on Thursday.”

The baroness was late for her luncheon engagement the following Thursday.

“Imagine what has happened!” she screamed as she burst into the room.