'Do not be too modest, you are a great orator. You know how to remain calm whilst you exalt, excite, and influence others.'
He listened in silence, then inquired for the health of his kind friend the Princess Ottilie.
'She is well,' answered Wanda, 'and loses nothing of her interest in you. She reads all your speeches with approval and pleasure; not the less approval and pleasure because her political creed has become yours.'
He coloured slightly.
'What did you tell me?' he said. 'That if I had no convictions, I could do no better than abide by the traditions of the Sabrans? If their cause were the safe and reigning one I would not support it for mere expediency, but as it is——'
'Your motives cannot be selfish ones,' she answered a little coldly. 'Selfishness would have led you to profess Bakouinism; it is the popular profession, and a socialistic aristocrat is always attracted and flattering to the plebs.'
'You are severe,' he said, with a flush on his cheek. 'I have no intention of playing Philip Egalité now or in any after time.'
She did hot reply; she was conscious of unkindness and want of encouragement in her own words. She hesitated a little, and then said:
'Perhaps you will have time to come and see me? I shall remain here a few days more.'
The ambassador joined them at that moment, and was too well bred to display any sign of the supreme astonishment he felt at finding the Countess von Szalras and the new deputy already known to each other.