Julian observed that Eve looked bored and sulky; she detested large assemblies, unless she could hold their entire attention, preferring the more intimate scope of the _tête-à-tête_. Amongst the largest gathering she usually contrived to isolate herself and one other, with whom she conversed in whispers. Presently, he knew, she would be made to recite, or to tell anecdotes, involving imitation, and this she would perform, at first languidly, but warming with applause, and would end by dancing--he knew her programme! He rarely spoke to her, or she to him, in public. She would appear to ignore him, devoting herself to Don Rodrigo, or to Alexander, or, most probably, to the avowed admirer of some other woman. He had frequently brought his direct and masculine arguments to bear against this practice. She listened without replying, as though she did not understand. Fru Thyregod was more than usually sprightly. 'Now, Armand, you lazy fellow, bring me my camera; this day has to be immortalised; I must have pictures of all you beautiful young men for my friends in Denmark. Fauns in a Grecian grave! Let me peep whether any of you have cloven feet.' Madame Lafarge put up her lorgnon, and said to the Italian Minister in a not very low voice,-- 'I am so fond of dear Fru Thyregod, but she is terribly vulgar at times.' There was a great deal of laughter over Fru Thyregod's sally, and some of the young men pretended to hide their feet beneath napkins. 'Eve and Julie, you must be the nymphs,' the Danish Excellency went on. Eve took no notice; Julie looked shy, and the sisters Christopoulos angry at not being included. 'Now we must all help to unpack; that is half the fun of the picnic,' said Madame Lafarge, in a business-like tone. Under the glare of her lorgnon Armand and Madame Delahaye attacked one basket; they nudged and whispered to one another, and their fingers became entangled under the cover of the paper wrappings. Eve strolled away, Valdez followed her. The Persian Minister who had come unobtrusively, after the manner of a humble dog, stood gently smiling in the background. Julie Lafarge never took her adoring eyes off Eve. The immense Grbits had drawn Julian on one side, and was talking to him, shooting out his jaw and hitting Julian on the chest for emphasis. Fru Thyregod, with many whispers, collected a little group to whom she pointed them out, and photographed them. 'Really,' said the Danish Minister peevishly, to Condesa Valdez, 'my wife is the most foolish woman I know.' During the picnic every one was very gay, with the exception of Julian, who regretted having come, and of Miloradovitch, of whom Eve was taking no notice at all. Madame Lafarge was especially pleased with the success of her expedition. She enjoyed the intimacy that existed amongst all her guests, and said as much in an aside to the Roumanian Minister.