"That is another of her tricks; the artful puss knows right well that the praise which comes at third-hand is the sweetest of all flattery."
"I take good care not to repeat one word to Ivan."
"There you show him real friendship," remarked Salista, laughing.
In the ball-room the dancers had returned to their places.
"You were ready to leave Pesth," Angela was saying, with a charming pout. "You needn't deny it; the abbé told me."
"Since then circumstances have detained me longer than I expected," returned Ivan, coolly.
"Have you got a family at home?"
"I have no one belonging to me in the world."
"And why have you not?"
This was a searching question.