He had attached himself to Wilhelm from the first moment, and gave vent to his delight when caressed by having a severe attack of asthmatic coughing, puffing and blowing.
"You live in Paris, do you not ?" asked the countess after they had exchanged remarks on the scenery.
"No," returned Wilhelm, "up till now I have lived in Berlin, but I had to leave for political reasons, and now I am a sort of vagrant without any actual home." "Ah--a political refugee!" cried the countess.

"How charming! Of course you will take up your abode in Paris now--that is the sacred tradition with all political exiles.

Yes, yes--you must; beside, how horrid it would have been to part after a few weeks and go our separate ways--you to the right, I to the left--and with only the consoling prospect of meeting again some day beyond the stars! So you will come to Paris, and if you have any intention of getting up a revolution in Germany, I beg that you will count me among your confederates.

You need not laugh--Paris is swarming with Spanish refugees of all parties, and I have had plenty of opportunity of gaining experience in the planning of conspiracies." "I have no such ambition," answered Wilhelm, smiling, "and am, in any case, no politician, although I enjoy the distinction of being an exile." "Shall you take up any profession in Paris?
I have connections--" "You are very good, Madame la Comtesse.

You will perhaps think less of me, but I have no actual profession." "Think less of you.