"How is it," she began, as usual in French, settling down briskly and fussily in the easy chair, "how is it Annette never got married? How stupid you men all are not to have married her! Excuse me for saying so, but you have no sense about women.

What an argumentative fellow you are, Monsieur Pierre!" "And I am still arguing with your husband.

I can't understand why he wants to go to the war," replied Pierre, addressing the princess with none of the embarrassment so commonly shown by young men in their intercourse with young women.

The princess started.

Evidently Pierre's words touched her to the quick.