"It is merely that European women, the women who have been raised in the intrigues of courts and the artificialities of what we call 'the World,' who learn the technique of gallantry as soon as they are _lancee_, where men make a definite cult of women and women of men, where sincerity in such an atmosphere is more baffling than subtlety and guile--that is the reason your American girl is never understood by foreign men--where naturalness is despised as gauche and art commands homage, where, in short, the game is everything--that most aristocratic and enthralling of all games--the game of chess, with men and women as kings, queens, pawns. . . . There you have the whole explanation of my apparent riddle. You have never met any one like me before." "There are a good many women of your class here now." "Yes, with avowed objects, is it not? And they do not happen to possess the combination of qualities that commands your interest." "That is true enough. Perhaps your explanation is the real one. There is certainly something in it. Well, I'll go now. I have kept you up long enough." He was about to raise her hand to his lips when she surprised him by shaking his warmly. "I must get over that habit. It is rather absurd in this country where you have not the custom. But you will come again?" "Oh, yes, I'll come again." XII Madame Zattiany adjusted the chain on the front door and returned very slowly to the library. That broad placid brow, not the least of her physical charms, was drawn in a puzzled frown. Instead of turning out the lights she sat down and stared into the dying fire. Suddenly she began to laugh, a laugh of intense and ironic amusement; but it stopped in mid-course and her eyes expanded with an expression of consternation, almost of panic. She was not alarmed for the peace of mind of the man who was more in love with her than he had so far admitted to himself. She had been loved by too many men and had regarded their heartaches and balked desires with too profound an indifference to worry over the possible harm she might be inflicting upon the brilliant and ambitious young man who had precipitated himself into her life. That might come later, but not at this moment when she was shaken and appalled.