ity would have been more easily
forgotten; but if once you begin to care badly for any one with a strong
personality you're done for."

"You are very modern, in spite of your assertion to the contrary, and
therefore very subjective. It would never occur to you to look at
anything from the objective point of view; yet at least five times out
of ten it is the correct one."

"You mean that I am too self-willed and domineering?" laughed Elisabeth.

"I mean that it is beside the mark to expect a reigning queen to
understand how to canvass for votes at a general election."

"But you do think me too autocratic, don't you? You must, because
everybody does," Elisabeth persisted, with engaging candour.

"I think you are the most charming woman I ever met in my life," replied
Cecil; and at the moment, and for at least five minutes afterward, he
really believed what he said.

"Thank you; but you think me too fond of dominating other people, all
the same."

"Don't say that; I could not think any evil of you, and it hurts me to
hear you even suggest that I could. But perhaps it surprises me that so
large-hearted a woman as yourself should invariably look at things from
the subjective point of view, as I am sure you do."

"Right again, Mr. Farquhar; you really are very clever at reading
people."

Cecil corrected her. "At reading you, you mean; you are not 'people,' if
you please. But tell me the truth: when you look at yourself from the
outside (which I know you are fond of doing, as I am fond of doing),
doesn't it surprise you to see as gifted a woman as you must know you
are, so much more prone to measure your influence upon your surroundings
than their influence upon you; and, measuring, to allow for it?"

"Nothing that a woman does ever surprises me; and that the woman happens
to be one's self is a mere matter of detail."

"That is a quibble, dear lady. Please answer my question."

Elisabeth drew her eyebrows together with a puzzled expression. "I don't
think it does surprise me, because my influence on my surroundings is
greater than their influence on me. You, too, are a creator; and you
must know the almost god-like joy of making something out of nothing,
and seeing that it is good. It seems to me that when once you have
tasted that joy, you can never again doubt that you yourself are
stronger than anything outside you; and that, as the Apostle said, 'all
things are yours.'"

"Yes; I understand that. But there i