He
wondered at her influence over Father Beret, whom she controlled
apparently without effort. But in due time he began to feel a
deeper character, a broader intelligence, behind her superficial
sauvagerie; and he found that she really had no mean smattering of
books in the lighter vein.
A little thing happened which further opened his eyes and
increased the interest that her beauty and elementary charm of
style aroused in him gradually, apace with their advancing
acquaintanceship.
Father Beret had got well and returned to his hut and his round of
spiritual duties; but Beverley came to Roussillon place every day
all the same. For a wonder Madame Roussillon liked him, and at
most times held the scolding side of her tongue when he was
present. Jean, too, made friendly advances whenever opportunity
afforded. Of course Alice gave him just the frank cordiality of
hospitable welcome demanded by frontier conditions. She scarcely
knew whether she liked him or not; but he had a treasury of
information from which he was enriching her with liberal
carelessness day by day. The hungriest part of her mind was being
sumptuously banqueted at his expense. Mere intellectual greediness
drew her to him.
Naturally they soon threw off such troubling formalities as at
first rose between them, and began to disclose to each other their
true characteristics.
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