Page:In a winter city, by Ouida.djvu/148

Rh genius, and are ordered to learn to blush with shame because our ancient cities, sacred with the ashes of heroes, are not spurious brand-new lath and plaster human ant-hills of the growth of yesterday! Forgive me, Madame," he said, interrupting himself, with a little laugh, "I forget that I am tedious to you. With the taxes at fifty-two per cent., a poor landowner like myself may incline to think that all is not as well as it should be."

"You interest me," said the Lady Hilda, and her eyes dwelt on him with a grave, musing regard that they had given to no man, "and on your own lands, with your own people—how is it there?"

His face brightened.

"My people love me," he said, softly. "As for the lands—when one is poor, one cannot do much; but every one is content on them—that is something."

"Is it not everything?" said the Lady Hilda, with a little sigh; for she herself, who could gratify her every wish, had never yet quite known what content could mean. "Let us go and look at the ball-room; Mila will be coming to know