They are the woman's
arts of self-defence, as legitimately and honourably hers as the manful
use of the fists with a coarser sex. If it had not been nature that
taught her the practice of them in extremity, the sagacious dowagers
would have seen brazenness rather than innocence--or an excuseable
indiscretion--in the part she was performing. They are not lightly duped
by one of their sex. Few tasks are more difficult than for a young woman
under a cloud to hoodwink old women of the world. They are the prey of
financiers, but Time has presented them a magic ancient glass to scan
their sex in.

At Princess Paryli's Ball two young men of singular elegance were
observed by Diana, little though she concentered her attention on any
figures of the groups. She had the woman's faculty (transiently bestowed
by perfervid jealousy upon men) of distinguishing minutely in the
calmest of indifferent glances. She could see without looking; and when
her eyes were wide they had not to dwell to be detective. It did not
escape her that the Englishman of the two hurried for the chance of an
introduction, nor that he suddenly, after putting a question to a man
beside him, retired. She spoke of them to Emma as they drove home. 'The
princess's partner in the first quadrille... Hungarian, I suppose? He
was like a Tartar modelled by a Greek: supple as the Scythian's bow,
braced as the string! He has the air of a born horseman, and valses
perfectly. I won't say he was handsomer than a young Englishman there,
but he had the advantage of soldierly training. How different is that
quick springy figure from our young men's lounging style! It comes of
military exercise and discipline.'

'That was Count Jochany, a cousin of the princess, and a cavalry
officer,' said Emma. 'You don't know the other? I am sure the one you
mean must be Percy Dacier.'

His retiring was explained: the Hon. Percy Dacier was the nephew of Lord
Dannisburgh, often extolled to her as the promising youngster of his
day, with the reserve that he wasted his youth: for the young gentleman
was decorous and studious; ambitious, according to report; a politician
taking to politics much too seriously and exclusively to suit his
uncle's pattern for the early period of life. Uncle and nephew went
their separate ways, rarely meeting, though their exchange of esteem was
cordial.

Thinking over his abrupt retirement from the crowded semicircle, Diana
felt her position pinch her, she knew