But somehow things have gone against me." The other two laughed.

He did not strike one as the sort of individual who would haunt the love-sick dreams of a confiding heart.
"I would rather it were the other way," said Claudius thoughtfully.
"And I," rejoined the American, "would drink perdition to the unattainable." "Either I do not agree with you, Mr.Barker," said the Countess, "or else I believe nothing is unattainable." "I implore you to be kind, and believe the latter," he answered courteously.
"Come, I will show you my garden," said Margaret rising.

"It is pleasanter in the open air." She led the way out through the glass door, the men walking on her right and left.
"I am very fond of my garden," she said, "and I take great care of it when I am here." She stopped and pulled two or three dead leaves off a rosebush to illustrate her profession of industry.
"And do you generally live here ?" asked Claudius, who was as yet in complete ignorance of the Countess's name, title, nationality, and mode of life, for Mr.Barker had, for some occult reason, left him in the dark.
Perhaps the Countess guessed as much, for she briefly imparted a good deal of information.
"When Count Alexis, my husband, was alive, we lived a great deal in Russia.

But I am an American like Mr.Barker, and I occasionally make a trip to my native country.

However, I love this place in summer, and I always try to be here.