So he wasn't at all surprised when, one evening, quite early
after dinner, she contrived another tete-a-tete, and with good
conversational generalship led their talk presently into a channel of
amiable personalities.
"And have you been thinking about what we said--or what I said, my
friend--that night--so long ago it seems!--three nights ago?"
"But inevitably, Liane."
"You have not forgotten my stupidity, then."
"I have forgotten nothing."
She made a pretty mouth of doubt. "Would it not have been more kind to
forget?"
"Such compliments are not easily forgotten."
"You are sure, quite sure it was a compliment?"
"No-o; by no means sure. Still, I am a man, and I am giving you the
full benefit of every doubt."
She laughed, not ill-pleased. "But what a man! how blessed of the gods
to be able to laugh at yourself as well as at me."
"Undeceive yourself: I could never laugh at you, Liane. Even if one did
not believe you to be a great natural comedienne at will, one would
always wonder what your purpose was--oh yes! with deep respect one
would wonder about that."
"And you have been wondering these last three days? Well, tell me what
you think my purpose was in abandoning all maidenly reserve and
throwing myself at your head.
Pages:
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385