She had received him, not as once before in the state drawing room, but in the intimacy of her own boudoir, a place all soft lights and cushions and tapestries and gleaming bits of sculpture.
After tea and crumpets had been consumed, the dangerous game proceeded far enough for Paul to confess his unjust dislike of Frank Ayres.
"Gros jaloux," said the Princess.
"That was why you said que vous etes bete," said he.
"Partly." "What were the other reasons ?" "Any woman has a thousand reasons for calling any man stupid." "Tell me some of them at any rate." "Well, isn't it stupid of a man to try to quarrel with his best friend when he won't be seeing her again for three or four months ?" "You're not going away soon ?" "Next week." "Oh!" said Paul.
"Yes.

I go to Paris, then to my villa at Mont Boron.

I have the nostalgia of my own country, you see.

Then to Venice at Easter." Paul looked at her wistfully, for life seemed suddenly very blank and dismal.

"What shall I do all that time without my best friend ?" "You will probably find another and forget her." She was lying back among cushions, pink and terra-cotta, and a round black cushion framed her delicate head.
Paul said in a low voice, bending forward: "Do you think you are a woman whom men forget ?" Their eyes met.