'I told her I would see her again some time, but I did not say whether this year or next.'
His wife laughed.
'I was sure you did! Well, then, you can go and see her at once, and take her some present from me.'
'If you will allow me to say so, I think a present will only painfully emphasise the difference of cast between you and her.'
'You have des aperçus très fins sometimes! That is a very delicate one, and perhaps correct, though a little pedantic. Well, go and see her, and say anything in my name that you think will smooth her ruffled feathers and restore her peace. I think we should have another Desclée in her; but perhaps you are right, that it will be better to let her marry her ship-builder. Wait; you may take her this book from me. That cannot offend her.'
She took off her table a volume of the 'Légendes des Siècles,' an édition de luxe, illustrated by great artists, bound by Marius Michel, illustrated by Hédouin, and published by Dentu, and in the flyleaf of it she wrote, 'From Nadège Fedorevna Platoff, Countess Othmar.' Then she gave it to her husband.
'I am certainly not going there to-day, nor for many days,' he said as he took it.
She smiled as she glanced at him.
'Are you sure you are not? Well, take it when you do go.'
'I shall go, if at all, only as your ambassador.'