Page:In a winter city, by Ouida.djvu/241

 I most rash out of a town because a friend happens to come into it also"

"My dear Mila, pray don't talk that nonsense to me," said her cousin, serenely. "I daresay ten years hence you will marry your little Lili to M. des Gommeux; people do do that sort of thing, though they find fault with the plots of the old Greek plays. I suppose it "saves society;" at least, it saves appearances. Olga is imprudent, I know, and wrong; but, at least she has the courage of her opinions; she does not talk all that pusillanimous prurient absurdity about 'friendship.'"

"Nobody can understand you, Hilda; and I don't know what you mean about Greek plays," muttered Madame Mila. "Everybody lives in the same way: you talk as if it were only me! Spiridion never says a word to me; what business have you?"

"None in the least, dear; only you will bring up the subject—Qui s'excuse s'accuse. That is all. You are not coming out this morning? Au revoir then; I am going to see a newly-found San Cipriano il Mago outside the gates;