In time this had modified itself and the joke had changed in kind.

Many other things had changed, but the lightness of treatment still remained.

And yet their blood was mingling itself with that of England's noblest and oldest of name, their wealth was making solid again towers and halls which had threatened to crumble.
Ancient family jewels glittered on slender, young American necks, and above--sometimes somewhat careless--young American brows.

And yet, so far, one was casual in one's thought of it all, still.

On his own part he was obstinate Briton enough to rebel against and resent it.