who take their neighbours seriously are almost
invariably severe. Mrs. Parflete, on the contrary, is all good-nature
and excuses. I believe she has genius, and I am sure she will have an
amazing career."

The Princess, who had always insisted on a studious rather than an
active part in life, was consequently unlike the majority of her sex,
who, in the bustle of social engagements, talk without ceasing, letting
words take the place of ideas, and phrases serve for sentiments. All
that she uttered showed a habit of thought opposed to the common method
of drawing-room conversation; she rarely said the expected thing, and
never, a welcome one. Sara, therefore, was disappointed at this
favourable judgment of Mrs. Parflete. The jealousy which she had been
able to control by hoping, in the depths of her heart, that the young
actress would prove too light a creature to bind for long any masculine,
stirring spirit, now saw some justification for vehemence.

"And what do you think of Robert Orange?" she asked, breathing quickly.

The Princess folded her hands, fixed her eyes again on the young girl,
and answered in her usual even tones--

"He is a sentimentalist turned man of action. When this miracle can be
accomplished, you may expect a very decided, even implacable,
character--because it is much more difficult to crush one's poetry than
to crush one's passions. The passions are more or less physical, they
depend on many material conditions or accidents; but poetry, ideals,
romance and the like belong to the spirit. I find a great campaign is
being waged everywhere against the soul. It is a universal movement--the
only things considered now are the pocket and the brain and the liver."

"Delightful!" said Sara, trying to speak calmly; "and will Orange become
a liver-devotee?"

"You don't understand self-discipline, _cherie_," answered the Princess;
"that seems a sealed mystery to most people except the Catholics and the
Buddhists. Protestants never speak of it, never think of it. Their
education is all for self-concealment. If I read M. de Hausee rightly,
he will become no colourless, emasculated being, but certainly a man
with a silent heart. When he has a grievance he will take it to
God--never to his friends."

Prince d'Alchingen stifled a yawn and offered Sara a cigarette, which
she refused, although she had acquired the habit of smoking during her
visits to Russia.

"If you will both swear," said he, "to keep a secr