Supposing, for instance, that England made a sudden move towards some unknown port on the coast of Morocco, St.
John knew what was at the back of it, and to hear him engaged with her husband in argument about finance and the balance of power, gave her an odd sense of stability.

She respected their arguments without always listening to them, much as she respected a solid brick wall, or one of those immense municipal buildings which, although they compose the greater part of our cities, have been built day after day and year after year by unknown hands.

She liked to sit and listen, and even felt a little elated when the engaged couple, after showing their profound lack of interest, slipped from the room, and were seen pulling flowers to pieces in the garden.

It was not that she was jealous of them, but she did undoubtedly envy them their great unknown future that lay before them.

Slipping from one such thought to another, she was at the dining-room with fruit in her hands.