to go to Russia myself,” said Owen. “It is probably the most interesting country in the world to-day.”
“But weren’t you telling me,” put in Mrs Norris, in her clear, metal-musical voice, “that you loved China so much, Mr Rhys?”
“I did like China very much,” said Owen.
“And I’m sure you made some wonderful collections. Tell me now, what was your particular fancy?”
“Perhaps, after all,” said Owen, “it was jade.”
“Ah jade! Yes! Jade! Jade is beautiful! Those wonderful little fairy-lands they carve in jade!”
“And the stone itself! It was the delicate stone that fascinated me,” said Owen. “The wonderful quality of it!”
“Ah wonderful, wonderful! Tell me now, dear Mrs Leslie, what you have been doing since I saw you?”
“We went to a bull-fight, and hated it,”