He got up and lit a cigarette, then he walked across the room and came back again, while his hostess surveyed him with surprise. At last he sat down.
"Vera, tell me the truth," he said. "How are things going? I confess last night gave me qualms."
The Princess gazed at him inquiringly.
"Why qualms?"
"You see, Gritzko is quite an exceptional person, he is no type of a Russian or any other nation that one can reckon with, he is himself, and he has the most attractive magnetic personality a man could have."
"Well, then?"
"And if you knew the simple unsophisticated atmosphere in which your godchild has been brought up——."
"Stephen, really,"—and the Princess tapped her foot impatiently.
"Please speak out. Say what you mean."
"She is no more fitted to cope with him than a baby, that is what I mean."
"But why should she cope with him? Are not men tiresome!" and the Princess sighed. "Can't you see I want them to love one another. It is just that—if she would not snub and resist him—all would be well."