"I am proud of you already," said Zinka, "and you know how vain I am, and how much I value such things!"
It was the first time for some weeks that the general had seen the two so happy together and it rejoiced his heart.
"And the climate is good," Sterzl went on, "one of the best in Europe; the foreign colony is friendly and pleasant. You will enjoy studying oriental manners from a bird's-eye view, Zini; and the change of air will do you good?"
"You will take me too?" she said turning pale.
"Why, of course. The bay of Constantinople is lovely and we can often sail out on it; then, in the autumn, if I have time, we will make an excursion in Greece. You will be quite a travelled person." He put his finger under her chin and looked with tender anxiety into her thin face; every trace of color had suddenly faded from it, and the light that her brother's success had kindled in her eyes had died out.
"It will be very nice--" she said wearily; "delightful--thank you, Cecil--you are always so kind ... when are we to start?"
"You might get off in about a week; the sea-voyage will not over-tire you, and you can stop to rest at Athens. In the hot season we can go up to the hills--" then suddenly he glanced sharply in her face and his whole expression changed; he added roughly, with a scowl: "but you need not come unless you like--stay here if you choose--I do not want to force you."
At this instant the maid appeared to announce the arrival of a case from the railway.
"The new ball-dresses!" cried the baroness in great excitement. "I am thankful they have come in time. I was quite in despair for fear I should not have my new gown in time for the ball at the Brancaleone's. It would have seemed so uncourteous to the princess.... Now let us see what Fanet has hit upon that is new...." And she rustled out of the room.
Zinka sat still, with a frozen smile, looking like a criminal to whom the day of execution had just been announced, and uneasily twisting her fingers.