Dwelling in them, I suppose you cannot help forgetting Divine authority altogether; but here,--here among the mountains, you would soon remember it! You should live here,--it would make a man of you!" "And you do not consider me a man ?" inquired Duprez with imperturbable good-humor.
Gueldmar laughed.

"Well, not quite!" he admitted candidly, "there's not enough muscle about you.

I confess I like to see strong fellows--fellows fit to rule the planet on which they are placed.

That's my whim!--but you're a neat little chap enough, and I dare say you can hold your own!" And his eyes twinkled good-temperedly as he filled himself another glass of his host's fine Burgundy, and drank it off, while Duprez, with a half-plaintive, half-comical shrug of resignation to Gueldmar's verdict on his personal appearance, asked Thelma if she would favor them with a song.

She rose from her seat instantly, without any affected hesitation, and went to the piano.