Is it not so, Mme.

la Princesse ?" Karl Steinmetz was frowning over an olive.
"I really do not know," said Etta, who had glanced across the table.
"I assure you, madame, it is so.

I am always hearing good of you, prince." "From whom ?" asked Paul.
Vassili shrugged his peculiarly square shoulders.
"Ah! From all and sundry." "I did not know the prince had so many enemies," said Steinmetz bluntly, whereat the marquise laughed suddenly, and apparently approached within bowing distance of apoplexy.
In such wise the conversation went on during the dinner, which was a long one.

Continually, repeatedly, Vassili approached the subject of Osterno and the daily life in that sequestered country.

But those who knew were silent, and it was obvious that Etta and Maggie were ignorant of the life to which they were going.
From time to time Vassili raised his dull, yellow eyes to the servants, who d'ailleurs were doing their work perfectly, and invariably the master's glance fell to the glasses again.