“That is a great compliment,” said Selden, laughing a little at her enthusiasm. “I doubt if there is any one else who has read them all! You are interested in politics, then?”
“Oh, there was much more than politics—but I liked them especially because they were so—so brave, so optimistic.”
The baron had drawn near and was listening smilingly.
“Too much so perhaps,” said Selden, with a glance at him. “That, at least, is the opinion of M. le Baron.”
“No, no; you do me wrong!” protested the baron. “I think merely that there is a safer road up the mountain than the one you indicate—at least up the mountains of my country, which is very mountainous indeed!”
“And perhaps you are right, M. le Baron,” agreed Selden, amiably.
Miss Davis had been listening with an intensity which puzzled him.
“I want to be quite sure that I understand,” she said. “M. le Baron and I have talked a great deal about your point of view. His idea is that the old régime could do much more for his country than is possible under the new one.”
“If the old régime adopted some new ideas, and could arrange to finance the country, he is probably right,” Selden conceded.
“Ah, mademoiselle, you see!” cried the baron, obviously elated. “It is as I told you! But come, the king has something to say to you.”