There were sombre philosophers, who agonised over the world's pain, wore very long hair and monstrous neckties. They spoke to Lilly of "spiritual high pressure" and the "specific gravity of related individualities," themes which did Lilly's soul good. One of them kept addressing her as "Your Excellency." When she asked him why, he looked staggered and said he had heard she was--then he broke off and substituted the paltry joke that she so "excelled" all the women present he could find no more suitable title. One of the men was an exuberant old high liver, whose name she had read with awe on many a beautiful picture. She would rather have kissed the hem of his garment than see him dance about her comically trying to be youthful. There were many others who aroused her curiosity; but she could learn nothing of their rank or character. The company even boasted a real prince, a pale, blond, very young man, who did not venture to ask to be introduced to Lilly, because his love was always in threatening proximity. So he kept making détours about her. The women, of course, were more distant than the men, though those of them who came to make her acquaintance gave themselves up to her with effusive warmth. One was a beautiful, voluptuous brunette with unsteady, glowing eyes and a smile betokening wild abandon. "We must get to know each other," she said. "I will introduce you to my friend, and later we'll take supper together like a cosy little family." Another was an extremely slim young woman with bright blue eyes, who towered above most of the men. She wandered through the throng serene and unconcerned in a long, white silk secession robe, looking like a phantom. She spoke without moving her head and smiled without drawing her lips. She had come from Denmark to study painting and at the same time "live life," as she expressed it. "Who are you?" she asked Lilly. "You are different from the rest. The woman who comes here and does not want to be swept along in the current must have strong arms." She boldly threw back the wide sleeves of her gown as far as her shoulders and exposed two lily-white, wonderfully curved arms, gleaming like marble pillars. Thereupon she wandered further. The third was an extremely light-haired, very elegant woman, no longer young. Her pretty, good-humoured face was tanned by the open air. With a merry flash of her eyes she held out her hand to Lilly, as if they were old acquaintances. "Oh, how sweet and lovely you are!" she said softly. "We have all flown here and don't know how. But where do _you_ come from? My name is ----" she mentioned the name of a great musician who in Kilian Czepanek's home had been revered as semi-divine. "Yes, Welter's former wife--that's who I am," she added gaily, and turned to the gentleman on whose arm she had walked up to Lilly. "Another general's wife, like myself," thought Lilly, looking after her.