Claude de Chauxville usually overdid things.

There is something honest in a clumsy bow which had no place in his courtly obeisance.
Although Steinmetz continued to skate in a leisurely way, he also held to his original intention of looking on.

He saw Paul and Maggie come back to the edge of the lake, accompanied by an English lady of some importance in Russia, with whom Maggie presently went away to the concert-room.
Steinmetz glided up to Paul, who was lighting a cigarette at the edge of the pond, where an attendant stood by an open wood fire with cigarettes and hot beverages.
"Get a pair of skates," said the German.

"This ice is marvellous--colossa-a-a-l." He amused himself with describing figures, like a huge grave-minded boy, until Paul joined him.
"Where is Etta ?" asked the prince at once.
"Over there with De Chauxville." Paul said nothing for a few moments.

They skated side by side round the lake.