"
"But if it happens to be true?"
"Many unpleasant things are true, but why rake them up unless there's
something great in the theme that makes them worth retelling?"
"It's too soon to judge yet. You haven't heard the best part. What do
you think of the story, Princess?"
Marie, who had not ceased caressing the dog, listening with her cheek
pillowed on his silken forehead, lifted her face and returned Idina's
look. As she raised her head, Mary's heart gave a bound which took her
breath away. But it was she whose eyes were dilated, whose face was
feverishly flushed, whose breast rose and fell as if a hammer were
pounding within. The Princess was white, but scarcely whiter than usual.
Her lips were pale, and rather dry, as if she had been motoring in a
chilly wind. She was smiling; and if the smile were slightly strained
and photographic, perhaps only one who watched her in the anxiety of
love would have felt the subtle difference.
"I'm afraid Angelo's right," she said. "It's not a particularly original
plot. And--forgive me--your heroine isn't of a very interesting type, is
she? Intriguing, cold, ambitious, catty. One reads of women who give
themselves to men without love, but--they don't seem natural, at least
to me. I believe you must be mistaken in thinking your plot is a true
story."
"I can prove its truth," said Idina, quietly. "At least Miss Jewett can.
She has been getting the materials. That's her business. She's
celebrated for it in America.
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