You once more kindled in my heart a love of life by
instilling a love of vengeance. You suggested to me the idea of coming
back here boldly, and confronting the world proudly."

"Do not mistake me, Nina," said the Princess, "the 'Vendetta' was the
last thing in my thoughts. I was too deeply concerned for you to be
turned away from my object by any distracting influence. It was that
you should give a bold denial--the boldest--to your husband's calumny, I
counselled your return. My advice was: Disregard, and, by disregarding,
deny the foul slander he has invented. Go back to the world in the rank
that is yours and that you never forfeited, and then challenge him to
oppose your claim to it."

"And do you think that for such a consideration as this--the honor to
bear the name of a man I loathe--that I 'd face that world I know so
well? No, no; believe me, I had very different reasons. I was resolved
that my future life, _my_ name, _his_ name, should gain a European
notoriety. I am well aware that when a woman is made a public talk, when
once her name comes sufficiently often before the world, let it be for
what you will,--her beauty, her will, her extravagance, her dress,--from
that hour her fame is perilled, and the society she has overtopped take
their vengeance in slandering her character. To be before the world as
a woman is to be arraigned. If ever there was a man who dreaded such a
destiny for his wife, it was _he_. The impertinences of the Press had
greater terrors for his heart than aught else in life, and I resolved
that he should taste them."

"How have you mistaken, how have you misunderstood me, Nina!" said the
Princess, sorrowfully.

"Not so," cried she, eagerly. "You only saw one advantage in the plan
you counselled. _I_ perceived that it contained a double benefit."

"But remember, dearest Nina, revenge is the most costly of all
pleasures, if one pays for it with all that they possess--their
tranquillity. I myself might have indulged such thoughts as yours; there
were many points alike in our fortunes: but to have followed such a
course would be like the wisdom of one who inoculates himself with a
deadly malady that he may impart the poison to another."

"Must I again tell you that in all I have done I cared less how it might
serve _me_ than how it might wound _him?_ I know you cannot understand
this sentiment; I do not ask of you to sympathize with it. _Your_
talents enabled you to shape out a high an