urmured something vaguely about amusement and
distraction. She was growing more and more perplexed about this
beautiful Mystery. Anyone who travelled about with a train of
attendants must surely be a princess at the very least.

"Amusement!"--the stranger smiled. "Does society ever _really_ give us
that? We have to smile when we are bored--to tell polite falsehoods
every hour--to eat and drink when we would rather fast--to awake all
sorts of evil passions in other people's minds if we are better-looking
or better dressed, or more admired; and have them aroused in our own if
we are _not_? Does a ball amuse? Does a dinner-party? Does even a
comedy, after the first quarter of an hour? I can answer for myself in
the negative, at all events."

"Gracious!" exclaimed Mrs Jefferson wonderingly. "You must be a
strange person, and you look so young. Why, I should have thought you
were just the age for society? Don't you care to be admired?"

"Not in the least. I have learnt the value of men's passions. A quiet
life is more wholesome and infinitely more contenting than anything
society can offer."

"For a time, perhaps; but it would become dull and monotonous, I should
think."

"Never, if you have the mind to appreciate it. The companionship I
value will always come to me. I do not need to seek it in the world."

"You are fortunate," said Mrs Jefferson, somewhat sarcastically.
"Ordinary mortals have to take what they can get. Still, I suppose such
things are only a matter of personal disposition. If one has the mood
for enjoyment, one can find it anywhere; if not--well, a funeral or a
comedy would be equally amusing."

"I suppose," said the stranger, quietly, "you have the mood."

"Well, I'm blessed with a pretty fair capacity for enjoying all that
comes in my way," said the little American, frankly. "I like studying
human nature, even though I'm not clever enough to describe it. It's
like the critics, you know, who find it so powerful easy to cut up a
book, yet couldn't write one themselves to save their lives. Phew-ew!
how hot it is here! How do you contrive to look so cool?"

"I can stand a great deal of heat," answered the other, tranquilly. "I
have Eastern blood in my veins, on my mother's side. Is that the
hottest room?" she added, nodding in the direction of the third doorway.

"Yes. I suppose you won't go there? I never dare put my nose inside.
It's enough to scorch the skin off you."