agent for the European nations. Such stability as there would be, such
order! Above all, such guarantees of good faith! Besides all that,
there were its cordial relations with the United States, that is to
say, with the chief source of the world's future wealth! The Senator's
strongly-marked face grew sweetly thoughtful as he followed his own
visions in the air, and when his wife spoke of living in an antiquated
Roman palace and buying an estate with an old title attached to it,
which the King might graciously be pleased to ratify, he playfully
tapped his wife's sallow cheek with two fat fingers and smiled in a
way that showed how superior he was to such weakness. It was not even
worth while to say anything.

Once more the Baroness sighed as she turned from the window. She meant
to have her own way in the end, but it was hard to wait so long. She
turned from the window, glanced at a beautiful holy family by
Bonifazio which hung on the opposite wall above an alabaster table,
estimated its value instinctively and went on into the next drawing-
room.

As she passed through the door, a low cry of pain made her start and
hesitate, and she stood still. The degree of her acquaintance with the
members of the family was just such that she would not quite dare to
intrude upon them if they had given way to an expression of pardonable
weakness under their final misfortune, whereas if they were bearing it
with reasonable fortitude she could allow herself to offer her
sympathy and even some judicious help.

She stood still and the sound was repeated, the pitiful little
tearless complaint of a young thing suffering alone. It was somewhere
in the big room, hidden amongst the furniture; which was less stiffly