I never met it until this evening." Etta excused him readily enough.

She could forgive plenty of plain-speaking of this description.

Had she not been inordinately vain, this woman, like many, would have been extraordinarily clever.

She laughed, with little sidelong glances.
"I only hope that you will honor Paris on your way home to England," went on Vassili, who had a wonderful knack of judging men and women, especially shallow ones.

"Now, when may that be?
When may we hope to see you again?
How long will you be in Russia, and--" "Ce Vassili is the best English scholar I know!" broke in Steinmetz, who had approached somewhat quietly.