Yet the oddity might have been registered as small as compared to the other effect that, before they had gone much further, she had, with her companion, to take account of.

This latter was simply the effect of their having, by some tacit logic, some queer inevitability, quite dropped the idea of a continued pursuit.

They didn't say so, but it was on the line of giving up Maggie's present that they practically proceeded--the line of giving it up without more reference to it.

The Prince's first reference was in fact quite independently made.

"I hope you satisfied yourself, before you had done, of what was the matter with that bowl." "No indeed, I satisfied myself of nothing.