grimness for him (comparatively) in strolling in that sweet park and gossiping with her about the matter; and it occurred to her presently to suggest to him that perhaps Hoffendahl would never give him any sign at all, and he would wait all the while, _sur les dents_, in a false suspense. He admitted that this would be a sell, but declared that either way he would be sold, though differently; and that at any rate he would have conformed to the great religious rule—to live each hour as if it were to be one’s last. “In holiness, you mean—in great _recueillement?_” the Princess asked. “Oh dear, no; simply in extreme thankfulness for every minute that’s added.” “Ah, well, there will probably be a great many,” she rejoined. “The more the better—if they are like this.” “That won’t be the case with many of them, in Lomax Place.” “I assure you that since that night Lomax Place has improved.” Hyacinth stood there, smiling, with his hands in his pockets and his hat pushed back a little. The Princess appeared to consider this fact with an extreme intellectual curiosity. “If, after all, then, you are not called, you will have been positively happy.” “I shall have had some fine moments. Perhaps Hoffendahl’s plot is simply for that; Muniment may have put him up to it!” “Who knows? However, with me you must go on as if nothing were changed.” “Changed from what?” “From the time of our first meeting at the theatre.” “I’ll go on in any way you like,” said Hyacinth; “only the real difference will be there.” “The real difference?” “That I shall have ceased to care for what you care about.” “I don’t understand,” said the Princess. “Isn’t it enough, now, to give my life to the beastly cause,” the young man broke out, “without giving my sympathy?” “The beastly cause?” the Princess murmured, opening her deep eyes. “Of course it is really just as holy as ever; only the people I find myself pitying now are the rich, the happy.” “I see. You are very curious. Perhaps you pity my husband,” the Princess added in a moment. “Do you call him one of the happy?” Hyacinth inquired, as they walked on again. In answer to this she only repeated, “You are very curious!”