Something about it
being like a paper umbrella, that was all right as long as you
didn't take it out in the rain. It's not every one who could say
that."
"Every one has said it; at least every one that I know. But then
I know very few people."
"I don't think you're particularly agreeable to-day."
"I never am. Haven't you noticed that women with a really perfect
profile like mine are seldom even moderately agreeable?"
"I don't think your profile is so perfect as all that," said the
Baroness.
"It would be surprising if it wasn't. My mother was one of the
most noted classical beauties of her day."
"These things sometimes skip a generation, you know," put in the
Baroness, with the breathless haste of one to whom repartee comes
as rarely as the finding of a gold-handled umbrella.
"My dear Sophie," said the Gr?fin sweetly, "that isn't in the
least bit clever; but you do try so hard that I suppose I oughtn't
to discourage you. Tell me something: has it ever occurred to you
that Elsa would do very well for Wratislav? It's time he married
somebody, and why not Elsa?"
"Elsa marry that dreadful boy!" gasped the Baroness.
"Beggars can't be choosers," observed the Gr?fin.
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