She would be sorry to leave Baden for some reasons; she liked Claudius very much, and he made her feel that she was leading an intellectual life.

But she had not entirely realised him yet.

He was to her always the quiet student whom she had met in Heidelberg, and during the month past the feeling she entertained for him had developed more in the direction of intellectual sympathy than of personal friendship.

She would not mind parting with him any more than she would mind laying down an interesting book before she had half read it.

Still that was something, and the feeling had weight.
"Miss Skeat," she said, when they were alone, "you have never been in America ?" "No, dear Countess, I have never been there, and until lately I have never thought I would care to go." "Would you like to go now ?" "Oh!" exclaimed the ancient one, "I would like it of all things!" "I am thinking of going over next month," said Margaret, "and of course I would like you to go with me.