Their rooms were on the first floor, and they disdained the lift.

"Do you remember, you used to be the mother to all of us at St.
Anne's--and now I am the mother of us two!" "You are an old, wise-headed Sibyl--that is what you are, darling!" the Princess returned.

"I wish I could ever know what has so utterly changed you from our convent days," and she sighed impatiently.

"Then you were the merriest madcap, ready to tease any one and to have any lark, and for nearly these four years since we have been together again you have been another person--grave and self-possessed.

What are you always thinking of, Sabine ?" They had reached their sitting-room, and Mrs.Howard went to the window and opened it wide.
"I grew up in one year, Moravia--I grew a hundred years old, and all the studies which I indulge in at Heronac teach me that peace and poise are the things to aim at.