nothing of him though. Well, a pigmy Prince. He doesn't matter. . . . It seems it would have strengthened the bonds between my country and another. And this country also—was to profit. Imagine it!—strengthening the bonds!"
"And now?"
"They want me to go on with it—as though there was nothing between us two."
"Nothing!"
"Yes. But that isn't all. He said———"
"Your specialist in Tact?"
"Yes. He said, it would be better for you, better for all the giants, if we two—abstained from conversation. That was how he put it."
"But what can they do if we don't?"
"He said you might have your freedom."
"I!"
"He said, with a stress, 'My dear young lady, it would be better, it would be more dignified, if you parted, willingly.' That was all he said. With a stress on willingly."
"But—! What business is it of these little wretches, where we love, how we love! What have they and their world to do with us?"
"They do not think that."
"Of course," he said, "you disregard all this."
"It seems utterly foolish to me."
"That their laws should fetter us! That we, at the first spring of life, should be tripped by their old engagements, their aimless institutions! Oh—! We disregard it."
"I am yours. So far—yes."
239
