We say at home that 'strange earth dies without wind.' A foreign land will make old bones of a man without the help of years.

That is what Germany has done for me.

And yet, how much older I should be but for you, dear Vjera! Shall we sit down here, in this quiet place, under the trees?
You know it is all over to-morrow, and I am free at last.

I would like to tell you my story." Vjera, who was tired of the close atmosphere of the workroom and whose strength was not enough to let her walk far with pleasure, sat down upon the green bench willingly enough, but the nervous look of pain had not disappeared from her face.
"Is it of any use to tell it to me again ?" she asked, sadly, as she leaned against the painted backboard.
The Count produced a cigarette and gravely lighted it, before he answered her, and when he spoke he seemed to attach little or no importance to her question.
"You see," he said, "it is all different now, and I can look at it from a different point of view.

Formerly when I spoke of it, I am afraid that I spoke bitterly, for, of course, I could not foresee that it could all come right again so soon, so very soon.