The conversation soon drifted back to the great Servian victory, and the narrow escape of Count Palenka and the general.
'How courageous it was of you to risk your life to save theirs; how self-devoted to give Tchernaieff your horse!' said the countess.
'It is not often a soldier has two such strokes of good luck at once,' replied Cecil.
'Had you no fear for your own life—no dread of dying?' asked the countess.
'No, madam.'
'Why?' asked Margarita, who had scarcely spoken yet.
'Because it is as natural to die as to live—to die as to be born; and life has now not many charms for me,' he added, with involuntary sadness or bitterness.
'Now—had it more once?' asked Margarita.
'Yes—many—nearly all that I could desire, contrasted with it now.'
'I grieve to hear you say so—you, with life before you still,' said she, eyeing him with growing interest, while slowly fanning herself with a great round feather fan, though the atmosphere was cool enough.