But with Falbe it was different; quite a small cause, like the sight of the Rhine at Cologne, or a Bavarian village at sunset, or the fact of a friend having talked with the Emperor, was sufficient to make his innate patriotism find outlet in impassioned speech.

He wondered vaguely whether Falbe's explanation of this--namely, that nationally the English were prosperous, comfortable and insouciant--was perhaps sound.

It seemed that the notion was not wholly foundationless..