'What else could you expect?'
'I expected—I do not know what I expected. Genius should not be abashed by mere tables and chairs.'
'Perhaps she has no genius. Even if she have any, to be stared at and laughed at by a number of strange people may be sufficiently embarrassing. I confess that I think you have done a very cruel thing.'
She laughed. When men are angry they amuse immeasurably a clever woman whose temper is serene. And it seemed such a trifle to her.
'Pending your arrangements for her future,' said Othmar after a pause of excessive irritation, 'where is she to be this evening? The second gong has sounded.'
She gave a little gesture of impatience.
'How very tiresome you are! Can she not go to the servants?'
'In my house? Certainly not. I will have no guests sent to the servants' hall. This young girl is as well born as any other of your visitors.'
'How odd you are! You will make me insist on separate establishments if you develop such quaint notions! I am sure she would be infinitely happier with the maids, and she would run no risk of becoming déclassée.'
'It is the only time in my life that I have found your expressions in bad taste,' said Othmar as he turned to leave the room.