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"We parted with mutual distrust, a mutual increase of respect, even of tolerance, and a common determination to make use of each other," said the Archduchess to Alexandra, as she finished the account of her interview with the minister. They were alone in her salon. "I reserved my Americanism for a future occasion, and played the old European game of the cat and the mouse. He is not in the least sure which is the cat and which the mouse. Neither am I, for that matter; but I have the advantage of knowing him better than he knows me. However, here I am for the present."
Alexandra drew a long and almost voluptuous sigh of content. "No more awful evenings in the Hofburg! -- whist with his Majesty, or, worse still, with M. L.; a little music; tittle-tattle about the same threadbare old royalties, the last novel -- French and wicked -- the play, the last baby -- there are always several; yawns, decorum _ad nauseam_; mad desire to lie down on the floor and kick up your heels. Oh, just and beneficent Heaven that sent William to Hungary with a wasp at his heel!"