What more could he want ?" murmured the countess, in blissful ignorance of any irony.
Catrina looked at her mother with a gleam of utter contempt in her eyes.
That is one of the privileges of a great love, whether it bring happiness or misery--the contempt for all who have never known it.
While they remained thus the sound of sleigh-bells on the quiet English Quay made itself heard through the double windows.

There was a clang of many tones, and the horses pulled up with a jerk.

The color left Catrina's face quite suddenly, as if wiped away, leaving her ghastly.
She was going to see Paul and his wife.
Presently the door opened, and Etta came into the room with the indomitable assurance which characterized her movements and earned for her a host of feminine enemies.
"Mme.

la Comtesse," she said, with her most gracious smile, taking the limp hand offered to her by the Countess Lanovitch.
Catrina stood in the embrasure of the window, hating her.
Paul followed on his wife's heels, scarcely concealing his boredom.

He was not a society man.