generous element. Your father never did so in his speeches, and
therefore we admired him. At the present day we don't so much care to
study English speeches; they may be insular,--they are not European. I
honour England; Heaven grant that you may not be making sad mistakes in
the belief that you can long remain England if you cease to be European."
Herewith the German bowed, not uncivilly,--on the contrary, somewhat
ceremoniously,--and disappeared with a Prussian Secretary of Embassy,
whose arm he linked in his own, into a room less frequented.

"Vicomte, who and what is your German count?" asked Vane.

"A solemn pedant," answered the lively Vicomte,--"a German count, _que
voulez-vous de plus?"




CHAPTER VII.

A LITTLE later Graham found himself alone amongst the crowd. Attracted
by the sound of music, he had strayed into one of the rooms whence it
came, and in which, though his range of acquaintance at Paris was for an
Englishman large and somewhat miscellaneous, he recognized no familiar
countenance. A lady was playing the pianoforte--playing remarkably well
--with accurate science, with that equal lightness and strength of finger
which produces brilliancy of execution; but to appreciate her music one
should be musical one's self. It wanted the charm that fascinates the
uninitiated. The guests in the room were musical connoisseurs,--a class
with whom Graham Vane had nothing in common. Even if he had been more
capable of enjoying the excellence of the player's performance, the