But then, Karl Steinmetz was a cynic.

No one else could have thought of comparing Etta's self-complaisant humor to that of a horse in a racing paddock.
They procured skates and glided off hand in hand, equally proficient, equally practised, maybe on this same lake; for both had learned to skate in Russia.
They talked only of the present, of the brilliancy of the fete, of the music, of the thousand lights.

Etta was quite incapable of thinking or talking of any other subject at that moment.
Steinmetz distinguished Claude de Chauxville easily enough, and avoided him with some success for a short time.

But De Chauxville soon caught sight of them.
"Here is M.de Chauxville," said Etta, with a pleased ring in her voice.
"Leave me with him.

I expect you are tired." "I am not tired, but I am obedient," replied Steinmetz, as the Frenchman came up with his fur cap in his hand, bowing gracefully.