times red--oh, so red! The soul is the chameleon which absorbs and
reflects it. Today," she signed, "my chameleon has taken a vacation."
She rose abruptly and threw out her arms with a dramatic gesture.

"Oh, you two infants--with your wise talk of life--you have already
depressed me to the point of dissolution. I've no patience with
you--with either of you. You've spoiled my morning, and I'll not stay
here another minute." She reached for her trinkets on the table and
rattled them viciously. "It's too bad. With the best intentions in
the world I bring two of my friends together and they fall instantly
into verbal fisticuffs. Hermia, you deserve no better fate than to be
locked in here with this bear of a man until you both learn civility."

But Hermia had already preceded the Countess to the door, whither
Markham followed them.

"I should be charmed," said Markham.

"To learn civility?" asked Hermia acidly.

"I might even learn that--"

"It is inconceivable," put in the Countess. "You know, Markham, I
don't mind your being bearish with me. In fact, I've taken it as the
greatest of compliments. I thought that humor of yours was my special
prerogative of friendship. But now alas! When I see how uncivil you
can be to others I have a sense of lost caste. And you--instead of
being amusingly whimsical and _enttŽ_--are in danger of
becoming merely _bourgeois_. I warn you now that if you plan to be
uncivil to everybody--I shall give you up."