"There," said Mirko, "that is better; we have set the seal on our present relation. The Present with a capital P. is always the best life has to offer. Yesterday is dead and to-morrow is in darkness: to-day only we live. _Carpe diem_ was the motto of the Ancients and it is mine!" "Oh, no, not of all the Ancients," objected Ragna quickly, horrified at the Pagan irresponsibility of the thought, "the Stoics did not live for the pleasure of the hour, they taught themselves to forego pleasure. I think it is nobler to deny one's self," she added timidly. "Deny one's self? What for?" demanded the Prince. "Why should I deny myself anything for the sake of others' pleasure? Am I not as good as they? And besides if I deny myself it only makes them selfish. To be really altruistic I should indulge myself on every occasion with the object of cultivating a beautiful unselfishness in others--that would be true self-sacrifice"--He stopped, laughing at the extreme bewilderment of the girl's face. She had lived entirely among serious-minded people, devoid of a sense of humour, and was unused to hear what were, to her, serious matters bandied about as subjects for jest; she rejoined gravely: "You say, 'live only for the day,' but there is a to-morrow--someone must always bear the consequences, it can't keep on being just 'to-day' however much we may wish it." The remark was characteristic of her, and she was one on whom life's to-morrows would fall heavily. Angelescu came to her assistance. "Mademoiselle refuses to accept the sophistry of Your Highness's arguments," he said smiling. "Sophistry, why it is the simple truth, and the Epicureans are your true Stoics. _Carpe diem!_ Let us drink to _carpe diem_!" "Not I," said Ragna. "Very well then, Mademoiselle la Stoique--but I shall make it my business to convert you. Let us then drink to the health of our noble selves. What do you say, in Norwegian, when you drink a health?" "Skaal," said Ragna. "Skaal, then," said both men raising their glasses and looking at Ragna, who half timidly raised hers to her lips, then put it down again--and Prince Mirko added under his breath as he drained his glass, "And to your conversion, my dear." On deck, a fresh breeze was blowing, and Ragna bound a long scarf over her head and wrapped her travelling-cloak well about her. Accompanied by the two men she paced briskly up and down the deck inhaling joyfully the strong sea air.