He took the countess's troubles indifferently, as do the rest of us when our neighbor's burden does not drag upon our own shoulders.

It suited him that Catrina should be in Petersburg, and it is to be feared that the feelings of the Countess Lanovitch had no weight as against the convenience of Karl Steinmetz.
"Ah, well!" he said, "you must console yourself with the thought that Petersburg is the brighter for some of us.

Who is this--another visitor ?" The door was thrown open, and Claude de Chauxville walked into the room with the easy grace which was his.
"Mme.

la Comtesse," he said, bowing over her hand.
Then he stood upright, and the two men smiled grimly at each other.
Steinmetz had thought that De Chauxville was in London.

The Frenchman counted on the other's duties to retain him in Osterno.
"Pleasure!" said De Chauxville, shaking hands.
"It is mine," answered Steinmetz.
The countess looked from one to the other with a smile on her foolish face.
"Ah!" she exclaimed; "how pleasant it is to meet old friends! It is like by-gone times." At this moment the door opened again and Catrina came in.