Of course it would have been infinitely more agreeable, she said to Wilhelm, to have been able to remain longer in their delicious seclusion, but, sooner or later, social life would have to be resumed, and it was best he should make a beginning now.

"Do not be afraid," she added, "that I shall ask you to make the acquaintance of all the asses and parrots that have chattered and gesticulated round me for years.
You shall only know a really select few, who are fond of me, and who can offer you friendship and appreciation." And so the march past of the elect began, most of them being invited either to lunch or dinner.

Wilhelm found them very peculiar and uncongenial, and, on the whole, derived but little satisfaction from their acquaintance.

Pilar had a small weakness; according to her account, each one of her more intimate friends was a striking and original character, the possessor of the rarest qualities.

It was the only touch of snobbishness of which one could have accused her.