 that where we were when you went away? No, I haven't been to the other
house.«
    »Not yesterday, nor the day before, eh?«
    »I don't know how many days it is.«
    »You are tired of it,« said Acton.
    She leaned back in her chair; her arms were folded. »That is a terrible
accusation, but I have not the courage to defend myself.«
    »I am not attacking you,« said Acton. »I expected something of this kind.«
    »It's a proof of extreme intelligence. I hope you enjoyed your journey.«
    »Not at all,« Acton declared. »I would much rather have been here with you.«
    »Now you are attacking me,« said the Baroness. »You are contrasting my
inconstancy with your own fidelity.«
    »I confess I never get tired of people I like.«
    »Ah, you are not a poor wicked foreign woman, with irritable nerves and a
sophisticated mind!«
    »Something has happened to you since I went away,« said Acton, changing his
place.
    »Your going away - that is what has happened to me.«
    »Do you mean to say that you have missed me?« he asked.
    »If I had meant to say it, it would not be worth your making a note of. I am
very dishonest and my compliments are worthless.«
    Acton was silent for some moments. »You have broken down,« he said at last.
    Madame Münster left her chair, and began to move about.
    »Only for a moment. I shall pull myself together again.«
    »You had better not take it too hard. If you are bored, you needn't be
afraid to say so - to me at least.«
    »You shouldn't say such things as that,« the Baroness answered. »You should
encourage me.«
    »I admire your patience; that is encouraging.«
    »You shouldn't even say that. When you talk of my patience you are disloyal
to your own people. Patience implies suffering; and what have I had to suffer?«
    »Oh, not hunger, not unkindness, certainly,« said Acton, laughing.
»Nevertheless, we all admire your patience.«
    »You all detest me!« cried the Baroness, with a sudden vehemence, turning
her back toward him.
    »You make it hard,« said Acton, getting up, »for a man to say something
