Page:Idalia, by 'Ouida' volume 2.djvu/45

34 your eyes, you unnerve their wills, and turn them which way yon choose. In an opera supper you enchant their allegiance to what roads you like; in the twilight of a boudoir you wind the delicate threads that agitate nations. You are in the heart of conspiracies, in the secrets of cabinets, in the destinies of coalitions, and with Fascination conquer, where Reason would fail. It is the widest power in the world; it is that of Antonina, of Marcia, of Olympia, of Pompadour! What can be lacking in such a life?"

"Only what was wanting in theirs—honour!"

The words were spoken very calmly, but there was not the less meaning in them.

"Honour! What makes you all in a moment so in love with that word? There was a time when you saw nothing but what was triumph in your career."

"It is not for you to reproach me with that."

Over his changing, handsome, eloquent features a certain flush and shadow came.

"Reproach! I would rather reproach you with the change. And why should there be this continued estrangement between us, Idalia? You loved me once."

Her eyes dwelt on his musingly, very mournfully,