x, I adore womanhood.
I look upon a beautiful woman as a gift to the world. Beauty is a gift
to be made much of, to be nourished, to be glorified. You are tired,
young woman. You work too hard. You have the rare gift--has any one
ever told you that you are beautiful?"

Julia stared at him, her lips a little parted, half angry, half
wondering.

"Look at her," Selingman continued, turning to Maraton. "She has the
slim body, the long, delicate figure of those Botticellis we all
love--except the Russians. I never yet met a Russian who could
appreciate a Botticelli. And her eyes--look at them, man. And you let
her sit there till the hollows are forming in her cheeks. Be ashamed of
yourself. Take her out into the country. One works just as well in the
sunshine. You do better work if you can smell flowers growing around
you while your brain is active. Lend her to me for a week. I'll take
her to my cottage in the Ardennes. There I live with the sun--breakfast
at sunrise, to bed at sunset. I will dictate to you, Miss
Julia--dictate beautiful things. You shall be proud always. You shall
say--'I have worked for Selingman. Conceited ass!' you will probably
add. Thank Heavens that I am conceited! Nothing is so splendid in life
as to know your own worth. Nothing makes so much for happiness. . . .
Maraton, where shall I find you to-night?"

"In the House of Commons, probably," Maraton replied. "But take my
advice. Leave Maxendorf alone for a few days."

"We will see--we will see," Selingman went on, a little impatiently.
"Come, I have nothing to do--nothing whatever. I came to London to see
you, Maraton. You must put up with me. Work--put it away. The sun
shines. Let us all go into the country. I will get a car. Or what of
the river? Perhaps not. I am too restless, I cannot sit still. I will
walk about always. And I cannot swim. We will take a car and sometimes
we will walk. I go to fetch it now, eh?"

Maraton glanced helplessly at Julia. They both laughed.

"I have to be back at four o'clock," the former said. "I have an
appointment at the House of Commons then."

"Excellent!" Selingman declared. "I go there with you. Your House of
Commons always fascinates me. I hear you speak, perhaps? No? What
does it matter? I will hear the others drone. I go to fetch a car."

Maraton held out his hand.

"I have a car," he observed. "It is waiting now at the back entrance.
You had better get your things on, Miss Thurnbrein. I can see t