"The French," I quoted, "are all fire and tow." "Thank you!" said Annabel, pulling out her light frizzes. "You seem interested in the political situation," remarked Prince Jerome. I did not know what he meant by the political situation, but told him I had just heard about the Bonapartes. "Where have you lived?" he laughed. I told him it didn't matter where people lived; it all depended on whether they understood or not. "What a sage!--I think I'm one of the people who will never be able to understand," said Jerome. I said he did not look as if he had been idiotic, and both he and Mademoiselle de Chaumont laughed. "Monsieur"-- "Lazarre Williams," supplemented Annabel. "Monsieur Lazarre Williams, whatever your lot in life, you will have one advantage over me; you will be an American citizen." "Haven't I that doleful advantage myself?" mourned Annabel. "A Baltimore convent, an English governess--a father that may never go back to France!" "Mademoiselle, all advantages of nationality, of person, of mind, of heart, are yours!" So tipping the interview with a compliment he rose up, and Annabel rose also, making him a deep courtesy, and giving him her hand to be led back to the floor. He kissed her white forefinger, and bowed to me. "You have suggested some interesting thoughts, monsieur prince of the woods. Perhaps you may yet take your turn on the throne of France. What would you do in that case?" "I would make the people behave themselves if I had to grind them to powder." "Now there spoke old Louis XIV!" laughed young Jerome Bonaparte. We both bowed, and he passed down with Annabel into the hall. I did not know what made Madame de Ferrier watch me from her distant place with widened eyes. Miss Chantry spoke shrilly to her brother behind me. "You will never be able to do anything with a lad who thrusts himself forward like that! He has no sense of fitness!--standing there and facing down the brother of a crowned head!--bad as the head is. Of course Mademoiselle Annabel set him on; she loves to make people ridiculous!" I walked downstairs after Prince Jerome, threaded a way among gazing dancers, and left the hall, stung in my pride. We do strangely expand and contract in vital force and reach of vision. I wanted to put the lake--the world itself--between me and that glittering company. The edge of a ball-room and the society of men in silks and satins, and of bewitching women, were not intended for me.