have two footmen behind her carriage, and very big ones. That was her taste. And she had a lady’s maid, also big. She said …”
Here Prince Ippolit paused, evidently collecting his ideas with difficulty.
“She said … Oh yes! She said, ‘Girl,’ to the maid, ‘put on a livery, get up behind the carriage, and come with me while I make some calls.’ ”
Here Prince Ippolit spluttered and burst out laughing long before his audience, which produced an effect unfavorable to the narrator. Several persons, among them the elderly lady and Anna Pávlovna, did however smile.
“She went. Suddenly there was a great wind. The girl lost her hat and her long hair came down. …”
Here he could contain himself no longer and went on, between gasps of laughter: “And the whole world knew. …”
And