"Don't you see how much more power you would have over men if you were more emotional, more spontaneous, more human? Who gives you credit for self-control? No one. They say you are self-contained--a very different idea. They say you are cold. Now, I don't care what I do. I follow every impulse. I must follow them. I had to come here this evening. I had to tell you about Reckage. The landlord was odious. I met two men on the staircase. One actually tried to peer into my face. I have never submitted to such indignities. Heaven knows what they are thinking now. I shall remember their vile laugh as long as I live. But I was determined to see you. And here I am. Apparently I have not done much good by coming. You hardly believe me. You think me an indiscreet woman." "I think you are splendid." "I saw Mrs. Parflete to-day. She is beautiful. But she is indiscreet, too. All women worth considering are miracles of imprudence." "Haven't I always said so?" "Then how can you expect us to like you when you are so--so wise?" "I don't expect you to like me." She bit her lip and pretended to check a laugh. "I suppose you enjoy this room?" she said, glancing round it till her eyes fell on a small crucifix which was nailed to the wall behind his chair; "it is so depressing. You are very perverse. And the odd thing is----" "Well, what is the odd thing?" "That you are attracted by Mrs. Parflete. Your style ought to be Saint Clare or Saint Elizabeth. But not at all. You prefer this exquisite, wayward, perfectly dressed, extremely young actress. You give your nature full play in your _taste_, at all events." "You can urge that much in my favour, then?" "Yes, that much. Oh, she's pretty. But frivolous and light-hearted--as light-hearted as Titania. There! I have been wondering what I could call her. She is Titania in alabaster. Marble is too strong. At first, I thought it might be marble. I have changed my mind since. I suppose you know she will act in this comedy with Castrillon at the d'Alchingens?" "So Disraeli has told me. Did you come to tell me that, also?" She coloured, but met his angry glance without flinching. "Now," she thought, "he is going to show temper." "I came to tell you that, also," she repeated. "Pensée is opposed to the whole scheme. Mrs. Parflete stamped her very beautiful foot, and said, 'I go.' Do you approve?" "I am to meet Castrillon to-night at the Prince d'Alchingen's," he answered, evading her question. "How you hate him!" "What makes you think so?" "I know your face. I never saw any love there for anybody, but just then there was a look of hate." "You are quite right. I do hate him." "You are actually trembling at the mention of his name. Then you have feelings, after all." She clapped her hands, and leaving her chair walked toward him. "Never hate me, will you?" she said, touching his arm. "Promise me that you will never hate me. Like me as much as you can."