'Oh leider, leider!' cried the Professor.
'You couldn't understand it?' cried the Students, let loose at last in
speech with the newcomers. 'Ja, das ist wirklich schade, das ist
schade, gnadige Frau. Wissen Sie--'
The mixture was made, the newcomers were stirred into the party, like
new ingredients, the whole room was alive. Gerald was in his element,
he talked freely and excitedly, his face glistened with a strange
amusement. Perhaps even Birkin, in the end, would break forth. He was
shy and withheld, though full of attention.
Ursula was prevailed upon to sing 'Annie Lowrie,' as the Professor
called it. There was a hush of EXTREME deference. She had never been so
flattered in her life. Gudrun accompanied her on the piano, playing
from memory.
Ursula had a beautiful ringing voice, but usually no confidence, she
spoiled everything. This evening she felt conceited and untrammelled.
Birkin was well in the background, she shone almost in reaction, the
Germans made her feel fine and infallible, she was liberated into
overweening self-confidence.
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