swered; "but I am afraid
that you did not understand what I meant just now. I said that there
were very few people with whom I cared to talk. You are not one of
those few, Monsieur le Comte."

He looked at her with a half-open mouth. His eyes were suddenly like
beads.

"I do not understand," he said.

"I am afraid," Jeanne answered, with a sigh, "that you are very
unintelligent. What I meant to say was that I do not like to sit here
and talk with you. It wearies me, because you do not say anything that
interests me, and I should very much rather read my book."

The Count de Brensault was nonplussed. He looked at Jeanne, and he
looked vaguely across the room at the Princess, as though wondering
whether he ought to appeal to her.

"Have I offended you?" he asked. "Perhaps I have said something that
you do not like. I am sorry."

"No, it is not that at all," Jeanne answered sweetly. "It is simply
that I do not like you. You must not mind if I tell you the truth. You
see I have only just come from boarding-school, and there we were
always taught to be quite truthful."

De Brensault stared at her again. This was the most extraordinary young
woman whom he had ever met in his life. Had not the Princess only an
hour ago told him that although he might find her a little difficult at
first, she was nevertheless prepared to receive his advances. He had
imagined himself dazzling her a little with his title and possessions,
gracefully throwing the handkerchief at her feet, and giving her that
slight share in his life and affection which his somewhat continental
ideas of domesticity suggested. Had she really meant to be rude to him,
or was she nervous? He looked at her once more, still with that
unintelligent stare. Jeanne was perfectly composed, with her pale
cheeks and large serious eyes. She was obviously speaking the truth.
Then as he looked the expression in his eyes changed. She was gradually
becoming desirable, not only on account of her youth and dowry--there
were other things. He felt a sudden desire to kiss those very shapely,
somewhat full lips, which had just told him so calmly that their owner
disliked him. Already he was telling himself in his mind that some day,
when she was his altogether, for a plaything or what he chose to make
of her, he would remind her of this evening.

"I am sorry," he said, "that you do not like me, but that is because
you are not used to men. Presently you will know me better, and th