RUSKIN (_patronisingly_). What do you think of the paintings of
TURNER?
MARGOT. He bores me.
RUSKIN (_drawing in a long breath_). Bores you?
MARGOT (_with a slow smile_). He probably bores you too, only you
daren't admit it.
What would have happened I cannot imagine had not dear old CARLYLE
offered me a draw of his pipe, while remarking laughingly, "She's a
wonder, is Meg; she'll lead the world yet."
One day he asked me what I thought of his writing.
MARGOT. Too jerky and overcharged.
CARLYLE (_wincing_). I must try to improve. What is your theory of
authorship?
MARGOT. I think one should assume that everything that happens to
oneself must be interesting to others.
CARLYLE (_as though staggered by a new idea_). Why?
MARGOT (_simply_). Because oneself is so precious, so unique.
I asked him once what he really thought of Mrs. CARLYLE, but he
changed the subject.
=Bismarck.=
It was in Berlin, when I was seventeen, that I met BISMARCK. It was at
the Opera, where, being a young English girl, I was in the habit of
going alone. The great Chancellor, who was all unconscious that I had
penetrated his identity, watched me for a long while between the Acts
and then overtook me on my way home and in French asked me to supper.
MARGOT (_also in French_). But I am not hungry.
BISMARCK. In Germany you should do as the Germans do and eat always;
(_with emphasis_) I do.
MARGOT (_scathingly_). I wonder if you are aware that I am English?
BISMARCK (_muttering something I could not catch about England lying
crushed at his feet_). But you are beautiful too! Some day you will be
a countrywoman of mine.
MARGOT. How?
BISMARCK. Because we shall make war on England and conquer it, and it
will then be our own and all of you will be our people and our slaves.
At least we should conquer it if----
MARGOT. If what?
BISMARCK. If it were not for a young man who will then be Prime
Minister. It is of him we are afraid.
MARGOT. What is his name?