"Your great Drake," she reminded him, "played bowls when the Armada sailed. Your Cabinet Ministers will be playing golf or tennis. Oh, what a careless country you are!--a careless, haphazard, blind, pig-headed nation to watch over the destinies of such an Empire! I'm so tired of politics, dear. I am so tired of all the big things that concern other people. They press upon one. Now it is finished. You and I are alone. You are my lover, aren't you? Remind me of it. If you will, I will discuss the subject you mentioned the other day. Of course I shall say 'No!' I am not nearly ready to be married yet. But I should like to hear your arguments." Their heads grew closer and closer together. They were almost touching when Selingman and Rosa Morgen came in. Selingman paused before their table. "Well, well, young people!" he exclaimed. "Forgive me, Baroness, if I am somewhat failing in respect, but the doings of this young man have become some concern of mine." Her greeting was tinged with a certain condescension. She had suddenly stiffened. There was something of the _grande dame_ in the way she held up the tips of her fingers. "You do not disapprove, I trust?" "Baroness," Selingman declared earnestly, "it is an alliance for which no words can express my approval. It comes at the one moment. It has riveted to us and our interests one whose services will never be forgotten. May I venture to hope that your journey to Italy has been productive?" "Not entirely as we had hoped," Anna replied, "yet the position there is not unfavourable." Selingman glanced towards the table at which Miss Morgen had already seated herself. "I must not neglect my duties," he remarked, turning away. "Especially," Anna murmured, glancing across the room, "when they might so easily be construed into pleasures." Selingman beamed amiably. "The young lady," he said, "is more than ornamental--she is extremely useful. From the fact that I may not be privileged to present her to you, I must be careful that she cannot consider herself neglected. And so good night, Baroness! Good night, Norgate!" He passed on. The Baroness watched him as he took his place opposite his companion. "Is it my fancy," Norgate asked, "or does Selingman not meet entirely with your approval?" She shrugged her shoulders.