There is a little gratitude in the individual, but none in the race." "None," answered Etta absently.
"It was so with the Charity League," went on the countess volubly.

She paused and looked round with her feeble eyes.
"We are all friends," she went on; "so it is safe to mention the Charity League, is it not ?" "No," answered Steinmetz from the fire-place; "no, madame.

There is only one friend to whom you may safely mention that." "Ah! Bad example!" exclaimed the countess playfully.

"You are there! I did not see you enter.

And who is that friend ?" "The fair lady who looks at you from your mirror," replied Steinmetz, with a face of stone.
The countess laughed and shook her cap to one side.
"Well," she said, "I can do no harm in talking of such things, as I know nothing of them.