On the Heights a Novel

three years' residence in Paris. As princes order their inferiors, and turn service into an obligation, it readily happens that persons in office at court are often hard in reproof upon those inferior to themselves. The court physician had selected a servant whom he knew to be most officious. "A light, Baum," he called out; and the servant at once held out to him a lighted match from the box where he was sitting beside the coachman. With courteous condescension Sixtus handed him his cigar-case; the servant, thanking him, took out a cigar. The court physician's cigars were indeed too strong for him, and threw him into a cold perspiration whenever he smoked them; but it is a wise rule not to reject a proffered favour. It was an easy drive along the good road. At the first post-stage the royal horses were sent back, and they continued the journey with extra post horses. The court physician had nothing of all this to arrange for himself. Baum knew and took care of everything. "Baum, where did you come from?" asked the rart physician, as they drove on. Baum started, but he did not turn round; he behaved as if he had not heard the question; he wanted to compose himself before he could reply: his features twitched, but he knew how to resume at once a modest and innocent expression. The physician inquired again, "Baum, where were you born?" A respectful face turned round. "I am from the mountain, out there, far behind on the frontier; but I have never... --This text refers to the Paperback edition.