quicker than ever since vast wealth has given so many of the species
the balance of at least one sort of power in society. His thoughts are
still the same, but his outward shape approaches strangely near to
that of the human being. There are snobs now, who behave almost as
nicely in the privacy of their homes as in the presence of a duchess.
They are much more particular as to the way in which others shall
behave to them. That is a test, by the bye. The snob thinks most of
the treatment he receives from the world; the gentleman thinks first
how he shall act courteously to others.

The Baroness went on and entered the outer reception room, and looking
before her she could see through the open doors of the succeeding
drawing-rooms, where the windows had been opened or perhaps not closed
on the previous evening. It was all vast, stately and deserted. Only
ten days earlier she had been in the same place at a great reception,
brilliant with beautiful women and handsome men, alive with the
flashing of jewels and decorations in the vivid light, full of the
discreet noise of society in good-humour, full of faces she knew, and
voices familiar, and of the moonlight of priceless pearls and the
sunlight of historic diamonds; all of which manifestations she dearly
loved.

Her husband had perhaps known what was coming, and how soon, but she
had not. There was something awful in the contrast. As she went
through one of the rooms a mouse ran from under the fringe of a velvet
curtain and took refuge under an armchair. She had sat in that very
chair ten days ago and the Russian ambassador had talked to her; she
remembered how he had tried to extract information from her about the
new issue of three and a half per cent national bonds, because her
husband was one of the financiers who were expected to "manipulate"