Surely you of the primrose robes can sometimes love ?" Whereat unwittingly I troubled the waters in the placid soul of that outcast Martian! I cannot exactly describe how it was, but she bent her head silently for a moment or two, and then, with a sigh, lifting her eyes suddenly to mine, said quietly, "Yes, sometimes; sometimes--but very seldom," while for an instant across her face there flashed the summer lightning of a new hope, a single transient glance of wistful, timid entreaty; of wonder and delight that dared not even yet acknowledge itself.
Then it was my turn to sit silent, and the pause was so awkward that in a minute, to break it, I exclaimed-- "Let's drop personalities, old chap--I mean my dear Miss An.

Tell me something about your people, and let us begin properly at the top: have you got a king, for instance ?" To this the girl, pulling herself out of the pleasant slough of her listlessness, and falling into my vein, answered-- "Both yes and no, sir traveller from afar--no chiefly, and yet perhaps yes.

If it were no then it were so, and if yes then Hath were our king." "A mild king I should judge by your uncertainty.

In the place where I came from kings press their individualities somewhat more clearly on their subjects' minds.

Is Hath here in the city?
Does he come to your feasts today ?" An nodded.