Booth Tarkington and Harry Leon Wilson

“ Below in the valley, peeping through the foliage, she could see the red roof of the tower where the artist had set up his studio. Drawing a low chair to the parapet, she sat down in it, and, fixing her eye on the bright spot of color, gave herself up to reviewing the occurrences of the night before. Persistently, one figure obtruded itself upon her mental vision. How kind, how chivalrous he had been, how thoughtful of her in every way! What a contrast to the men by whom she was now surrounded. Ah, there was nothing like an American gentleman, after all! ”

“ The marquise pressed her two white hands to her bosom. “That you are hurting them here where they suffer.”
“In their vanity,” sneered Nancy.
“No, in their hearts. All of them suffer there.”
Nancy made a movement of incredulity.
“The prince—you say he suffers in his heart?”
“Bitterly.”
“I've heard him do nothing but mock.”
“Mockery—that is the bandage he binds upon his wounds. You think we are cold and hard to you here. Ah, no! It is only our way to hide the great hurt to our hearts.” There was a note of pleading in the really beautiful tones of her voice. “You are gentle. ”

“ But I've got to pretend to be to keep from hurting so many people. I'm just a commonplace American girl on the wrong road. I'm just Nancy Baxter.”
“Nancy Baxter,” he repeated. “That sounds like home, doesn't it?”
She leaned toward him with eager eyes. “Oh, please say it again! I never thought I'd have a chance to hear a good American call me Nancy Baxter as long as I live. ”

“ She choked, seemingly about to break down, and then she said, speaking with the simplicity and earnestness of a child: “Can you think of something funny right quick? I'm afraid I'm going to cry if you can't.” ”

“ Hardy covered the portrait with the oilcloth again, and put it under his arm.
“It's only a sketch, you know,” he said half apologetically, and yet with an undercurrent of determination. “We painter men are about as conceited as people get, and we don't like to exhibit unfinished work.”
Baxter looked at him reproachfully. “Well, then, will you do another for me?”
“Some day if I get the chance. But I must be off now. My old servant insists on my eating dinner rather early.”
He shook hands with Baxter and bowed deferentially to Nancy. She raised her head, and for an instant their eyes met. ”