Margot. Too jerky and overcharged.

Carlyle (wincing). I must try to improve. What is your theory of authorship?

Margot. I think one should assume that everything that happens to oneself must be interesting to others.

Carlyle (as though staggered by a new idea). Why?

Margot (simply). Because oneself is so precious, so unique.

I asked him once what he really thought of Mrs. Carlyle, but he changed the subject.

Bismarck.

It was in Berlin, when I was seventeen, that I met Bismarck. It was at the Opera, where, being a young English girl, I was in the habit of going alone. The great Chancellor, who was all unconscious that I had penetrated his identity, watched me for a long while between the Acts and then overtook me on my way home and in French asked me to supper.

Margot (also in French). But I am not hungry.

Bismarck. In Germany you should do as the Germans do and eat always; (with emphasis) I do.