The plunge was over, and he recovered his outward calm, whatever he might feel.
"Mr.Barker flatters me, Madam," he said quietly.

"I am not a professor, but only a private lecturer." "I am too far removed from anything learned to make such distinctions," said the Countess.

"But since good fortune has brought you into the circle of my ignorance, let me renew my thanks for the service you did me in Heidelberg the other day." Claudius bowed and murmured something inaudible.
"Or had you not realised that I was the heroine of the parasol at the broken tower ?" asked Margaret smiling, as she seated herself in a low chair and motioned to her guests to follow her example.

Barker selected a comfortable seat, and arranged the cushion to suit him before he subsided into repose, but the Doctor laid hands on a stern and solid-looking piece of carving, and sat upright facing the Countess.
"Pardon me," said he, "I had.

But it is always startling to realise a dream." The Countess looked at Claudius rather inquiringly; perhaps she had not expected he was the sort of man to begin an acquaintance by making compliments.