"They meant to honour you by lying about you when the truth about you is far more noble and more wonderful," he said.
"Do you think so?"
"Do you doubt it?"
She remained silent, turning over the clippings in her hand; then, glancing up, found him smiling again.
"Please share with me—because I know your thoughts are pleasant."
"It was seeing you in these pretty Chinese robes," he smiled, "which made me think of that evening in the armoury."
"Oh—when I sat under the dragon, with my lute, and said for your guests some legends of old Cathay?"
"Yes. Seeing you here—in your Chinese robes—made me think of their astonishment when you first dawned on their mental and social horizon. They are worthy people," he added, with a shrug.
"They are as God made them," she said, demurely.