arrying even a Venus in this Bohemian class. That
sort of thing is all very well--" He waved his hand, and arched an
eyebrow, and Gisela inferred she was to take quite a number of amours
for granted; much, for instance, as she would those of a handsome
officer who sat alone at the next table and who looked infinitely bored
with love and longing for war.

"She must--it goes without saying--be intellectual, clever, bright,
amusing. I must have companionship. Not an artist, however. I should
never permit my wife to write or model or sing for the public. And she
must have the social talent, magnetism, the power to charm whom she
will. That would help me infinitely in my career."

"Is that all?"

"Oh, she must be affectionate and a good housekeeper, but most German
women have the domestic virtues. Naturally, she must have perfect
health. I detest women with nerves and moods."

Gisela had been leaning forward, her elbows on the table, her little
square chin on her hands, and if there were wondering contempt in her
eyes he saw only their brilliance and fixed regard.

"And what, may I ask, do you purpose to give her in return for all
that?"

He flicked the ashes from his cigarette, and the gesture was quite
without affectation. "What has that to do with it?"

"Well--only--you think, then, that in return for all--but all!--that
a woman has to offer a man--any man--you should not feel yourself bound
to give her an equal measure in return?"

"I have not given the matter a thought. Naturally the woman I select
will see all in me that I see in her. Shall we get out of this? I feel
I have taken a cold. Fresh air is a drastic but efficient corrective."

He escorted her to her hotel, although he gazed longingly down his own
street as they passed it. His head felt overburdened and it was awkward
manipulating a handkerchief with mitts.

Within half a block of the hotel Gisela, who had been walking
rapidly, bending a little against the wind, paused and drew herself
up to her stately height. Cold as he was he thrilled slightly as he
reflected that she possessed real distinction; almost she might be
hochwohlgeboren--yes, quite. He tingled less agreeably as he recalled
a snub administered by a great lady with whom he had presumed to attempt
conversation at the house of a liberal little Russian baroness. This
woman would snub any hochwohlgeboren who presumed to snub him in the
future.

"Herr Zottmyer," said Gisela, and her tones