They seem always to have ignored the little comforts and elegancies of life." "It is most interesting," answered Etta's voice, and Catrina stepped forward into the light.
Formal greetings were exchanged, and Catrina saw Etta look anxiously toward the door through which she had just come.

She thought that she was looking for her husband.

But it was Claude de Chauxville for whose appearance Etta was waiting.
Paul and Steinmetz entered at the same moment by another door, and Catrina, who was talking to Maggie in English, suddenly stopped.
"Ah, Catrina," said Paul, "we have broken new ground for you.

There was no track from here to Osterno through the forest.

I made one this afternoon, so you have no excuse for remaining away, now." "Thank you," answered Catrina, withdrawing her cold hand hurriedly from his friendly grasp.
"Miss Delafield," went on Paul, "admires our country as much as you do." "I was just telling mademoiselle," said Maggie, speaking French with an honest English accent.
Paul nodded, and left them together.
"Yes," the countess was saying at the other end of the gloomy room; "yes, we are greatly attached to Thors: Catrina, perhaps, more than I.I have some happy associations, and many sorrowful ones.