"The Turks do well to be silent, for what good is there in people's talk? What good is there?"
"Here is a little sage, she is never satisfied with questions," said Darvid, jestingly.
"Capacity for criticism is a family trait of ours," laughed
Irene.
"Cara had been distinguished by curiosity from childhood," added
Malvina, with a smile.
Even Maryan, looking at his younger sister, said:
"The time always comes when children begin to speak instead of prattling."
Miss Mary, with an anxious forehead under her puritan hair, said nothing.
On the faces of all who spoke, anxiety was evident, and above the smiling lips weariness was present in every eye.
Malvina rose from her chair; Darvid left his place, bowed to all with exquisite politeness, and, advancing some steps, gave his arm to his wife.
They passed through a small, brightly lighted drawing-room and halted in the following chamber, where the walls were adorned with white garlands and the curtains and upholstering were of blue watered-silk. Beyond, in a small drawing-room. Miss Mary sat down to play chess with Maryan; Cara took her place near them in the character of observer, and Irene unrolled in the lamp-light a piece of church stuff, very old and time-worn, which the baron had brought her as a rarity, and which she intended to repair by embroidering it with silk and gold thread.