'To think that year after year those good women voluntarily go to certain death! And not even to save life, for lepers cannot be cured, you know.

The most that can be done is to alleviate their suffering!' She said this very well, though the words were hackneyed.
'It is heroic,' said Captain Ugo quietly.
She stayed some time longer, and he showed her the finest of his books and a number of old engravings and etchings; and these really impressed her because she knew something of their current value, which was her only standard in judging works of art.

At last she showed that she was thinking of going.

Women of the world generally give warning of their approaching departure, as an ocean steamer blows its horn at intervals before it starts.

The Princess's voice was suddenly colourless and what she said became more and more general, till she observed that it was really a lovely day.