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THE EUROPEANS.
[CH.
"What have you gained?" asked Eugenia.
"An immense amount of wisdom."
"That's a questionable advantage for a man who was already so wise!"
Acton shook his head. "No, I was a great fool before I knew you!"
"And being a fool you made my acquaintance? You are very complimentary."
"Let me keep it up," said Acton, laughing. "I hope, for our pleasure, that your brother's marriage will detain you."
"Why should I stop for my brother's marriage when I would not stop for my own?" asked the Baroness.
"Why shouldn't you stop in either case, now that, as you say, you have dissolved
