"Very likely." Claudius was annoyed at his companion's tone of voice. He
would have scoffed at the idea that he loved the Countess at first
sight; but she nevertheless represented his ideal to him, and he could
not bear to hear Mr. Barker's chaffing remarks. Of course Barker had
taken him to the house, and had a right to ask if Claudius had found the
visit interesting. But Claudius was determined to check any kind of
levity from the first. He did not like it about women on any terms, but
in connection with the Countess Margaret it was positively unbearable.
So he answered curtly enough to show Mr. Barker he objected to it. The
latter readily understood and drew his own inferences.

A different conversation ensued in the Countess's garden when the
visitors were gone.

"Well, Miss Skeat," said Margaret, "what do you think of my new
acquaintances?"

"I think Mr. Barker is the most agreeable American I ever met," said
Miss Skeat. "He has very sound views about social questions, and his
information on the subject of American Indians is perfectly
extraordinary."

"And the Doctor? what do you think of him?"

"He dresses very oddly," said the lady companion; "but his manners seem
everything that could be desired, and he has aristocratic hands."

"I did not notice his dress much. But he is very handsome. He looks like
a Scandinavian hero. You know I was sure I should meet him again that
day in Heidelberg."