For the first time in my life I won." He was so gay in relating his childish prank, he jested so merrily about his ruin, that the Countess looked at him in surprise, as he had looked at her on entering....

We understand ourselves so little, and we know so little about our own singularities of character, that each one was surprised at finding the other so calm.

Ardea could not comprehend that Madame Steno should not be at least uneasy about Gorka's return and the consequences which might result therefrom.

She, on the other hand, admired the strange youth who, in his misfortune, could find such joviality at his command.

He had evidently expended as much care upon his toilette as if he had not to take some immediate steps to assure his future, and his waistcoat, the color of his shirt, his cravat, his yellow shoes, the flower in his buttonhole, all united to make of him an amiable and incorrigibly frivolous dandy.