She went out on her snow-shoes half an hour ago." "That is all right," said the Frenchman to himself when the door was closed.
He went to the fire and warmed his slim white fingers.

There was an evil smile lurking beneath his mustache.
When Etta opened the door a minute later he bowed low, without speaking.
There was a suggestion of triumph in his attitude.
"Well ?" said the princess, without acknowledging his salutation.
De Chauxville raised his eyebrows with the resigned surprise of a man to whom no feminine humor is new.

He brought forward a chair.
"Will you sit ?" he said, with exaggerated courtesy.

"I have much to say to you.

Besides, we have all the time.