Page:In a winter city, by Ouida.djvu/195

 the last he will ever have to do with theatricals. I left while I could escape with life. What a pity it is that playing for charity always developes such fierce hostilities. Well, Paolo,—have you thought better of the Postiche ball? No? How stiff-necked you are! I do believe Carlo will be the only Italian there!"

"It will be a distinction to inscribe on his tombstone, Madame," said Della Rocca. "But then he goes under command."

"And under protest," murmured Don Carlo.

"Which does not count. When one is no longer a free agent"

Princess Olga hit him a little blow with her muff.

"But why should you not go to the Postiches? Just as you go to the Veglione; it is nothing more."

"Madame,—I am very old-fashioned in my ideas, I dare say, but I confess I think that no one should accept as a host a person he would never accept as his guest. I may be wrong"

"Of course you are wrong. That is not the question at all," said Princess Olga, who did