‘And how do you like Viennese women?’ she asked with a smile. ‘Are they prettier than the women in Berlin?’

‘I … I don’t … I haven’t had a chance … I haven’t really thought about it yet …’

‘What’s there to think about? Here you are — just have a look!’ She made a sweeping gesture around the café. ‘As many women as you like: you can make up your mind in a minute! Take Fräulein Lotte, for example — isn’t she pretty?’

‘Indeed she is! Fräulein Bondheim is very pretty. You’d have to go a long way to find such a pretty girl.’ He spoke with great solemnity, even reverence, keeping his eyes lowered to the table.

‘You see, sir! Beauties wherever you look!’ Thea laughed. And turning to Lotte: ‘There you are, my dear — men compliment you thanks to me, and you’re not in the least grateful!’

There was so much cynicism in her tone that everyone began to feel uncomfortable. For a moment there was an uneasy silence, and Gurdweill for some reason felt himself to blame, but as always in similar circumstances, this time, too, he found nothing to say. It was the diligent Dr Astel once again who broke the uncomfortable silence.

‘Well, gentlemen, are we going to have supper together or aren’t we?’

In the lobby Thea found the right moment to exchange a few friendly words with Bloch and make an appointment with him for the following afternoon.

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