"I have no children of my own," she says, "so I just make everybody my children, Claude included; and play with them, and laugh at them, and pet them, and help them out of their scrapes, just as I should if they were in my own nursery." And so it befalls that she is every one's confidant; and though every one seems on the point of taking liberties with her, yet no one does: partly because they are in her power, and partly because, like an Eastern sultana, she carries a poniard, and can use it, though only in self-defence.

So if great people, or small people either (who can give themselves airs as well as their betters), take her plain speaking unkindly, she just speaks a little more plainly, once for all, and goes off smiling to some one else; as a hummingbird, if a flower has no honey in it, whirs away, with a saucy flirt of its pretty little tail, to the next branch on the bush.
"I must know more of this American," said Scoutbush, at last.
"Well, he would be very improving company for you; and I know you like improving company." "I mean--what has he to do with her ?" "That is just what I will not tell you.

One thing I will tell you, though, for it may help to quench any vain hopes on your part; and that is, the reason which she gives for not marrying him." "Well ?" "Because he is an idler." "What would she say of me, then ?" groaned Scoutbush.
"Very true; for, you must understand, this Mr.Stangrave is not what you or I should call an idle man.

He has travelled over half the world and made the best use of his eyes.

He has filled his house in New York, they say, with gems of art gathered from every country in Europe.