"I often think," she continued after a short pause,
drawing nearer to the prince and smiling amiably
at him as if to show that political and social topics
were ended and the time had come for
intimate conversation-
"I often think how unfairly sometimes the
joys of life are distributed.
Why has fate given you two such splendid children?
I don't speak of Anatole, your youngest.
I don't like him,"
she added in a tone admitting of no
rejoinder and raising her eyebrows.
"Two such charming children.
And really you appreciate them less than anyone,
and so you don't deserve to have them."
And she smiled her ecstatic smile.