"And how did you like the Princess?"
"Oh, she is a charming girl," I said lightly.
"So I have heard; it is a pity that your proposed visit to Sonale was interfered with."
"It was; but Zeula had good reasons for recalling us."
"He generally has good reasons for everything, hasn't he?"
This astonishing mother of mine then began to talk of other things, a proceeding which upset my calculations, for I had intended to make her more and more curious. It was disturbing to find that she did not appear to take any more interest in the Princess, especially as I was dying to tell her all about my feelings in the matter. In vain I tried to reopen the subject, but no, it was unavailing, and at length I was obliged to capitulate, and say:
"The Princess is an awfully nice girl." Which afterwards I thought particularly tame.
"Yes?"
Oh, the dampening effect of that monosyllable. I seemed to shrivel up inside, and then I chanced to glance at my mother's face. There was a faint, quizzical smile upon her lips, as she bent forward to look into the lighted room at her side.
"Well, of all the artful women!" I shook my finger at her severely.