Rowland sat perfectly grave, on principle.

Then Roderick began to talk of half a dozen statues that he had in his head, and set forth his design, with his usual vividness.

Suddenly, as it was relevant, he declared that his Baden doings had not been altogether fruitless, for that the lady who had reminded Rowland of Madame de Cruchecassee was tremendously statuesque.

Rowland at last said that it all might pass if he felt that he was really the wiser for it.

"By the wiser," he added, "I mean the stronger in purpose, in will." "Oh, don't talk about will!" Roderick answered, throwing back his head and looking at the stars.