She evidently read a great deal, or rather she allowed Miss Skeat to read to her, and her memory was good.

Claudius was not behind in sober criticism of current literature, though his reading had been chiefly of a tougher kind.

Time flew by quickly, and when the two men rose to go their visit had lasted two hours.
"You will report the progress of your conquest ?" said the Countess to Claudius as she gave him her hand, which he stooped to kiss in the good old German fashion.
"Whenever you will permit me, Countess," he said.
"I am always at home in the middle of the day.

And you too, Mr.Barker, do not wait to be asked before you come again.

You are absolutely the only civilised American I know here." "Don't say that, Countess.