“'I travelled with comfort through Europe, and having by many countries passed, such as Germany and others, I arrived, my dear Alicia, in Russia.'”
“Is that all he says about his journey?” interrupted Lady Grillyer.
“It is certainly a curiously insufficient description of a particularly interesting route,” commented Sir Justin.
“It almost seems as if he didn't know what other countries lie between England and Russia,” added the Countess.
“It only means that he knows geography doesn't interest me!” replied Alicia. “And he does say more about his journey—'Alone by myself, in a carriage very quietly I travelled.' And again—'To be observed not wishing, and strict orders being given to me, with no man I spoke all the way.' There!”
“That certainly makes it more difficult to check his statements,” Sir Justin admitted.
“Ah, he evidently thought of that!” said the Countess. “If he had said there was anyone with him, we could have asked him afterwards who it was. What a pity! Read on, my child—we are vastly interested.”
Thus encouraged, the Baroness continued
“'In Russia the crops are good, and from my window with pleasure I observe them. Petersburg is a nice town, and I have a pleasant apartment in it!'”
“What!” exclaimed the Countess. “He is looking at the crops from his window in St. Petersburg!”