"What an idea! I have never spoken a hundred words to him in my life."
They went on walking.
"Leo Golowski, then?" asked George.
She shook her head and smiled. "That was calf-love," she replied. "That
really doesn't count. I should like to know the girl of sixteen who
wouldn't have fallen in love in the country with a handsome youth who
fights a duel with a real Count and then goes about for eight days with
his arm in a sling."
"But he didn't do it on your account, but for his sister's honour, as
it were."
"For Therese's honour? What makes you think that?"
"You told me that the young man had spoken to Therese in the forest
while she was studying '_Emilia Galotti_.'"
"Yes, that is quite true. Anyway, she was quite glad to be spoken to.
The only thing Leo objected to was that the young Count belonged to
a club of young men who really behaved rather cheekily, and I think
showed a touch of Anti-Semitism. So when Therese once went with her
brother for a walk by the lake, and the Count came up and spoke to
Therese as though he had known her for ages, while he mumbled his name
off-handedly, for the benefit of Leo, Leo made a bow and introduced
himself like this: 'Leo Golowski, Cracow Jew.' I don't know exactly
what happened further; there was an exchange of words and the duel took
place next day in the cavalry barracks at Klagenfurt."
"So I am quite right," persisted George humorously. "He did fight for
his sister's honour."
"No, I tell you. I was there when he once discussed the matter with
Therese, and said to her: 'So far as I am concerned you can do whatever
amuses you. You can flirt with any one you like'...."
"Only it's got to be a Jew, I suppose...." added George.