Don't look so blank, David;
you are all right as far as me. When my heart is on your side you can
snap your fingers at my judgment."
David was cheered by this gracious revelation.
Eve was a tormenting little imp. She could not help reminding him
every now and then that all her maneuvers and all his love were to end
in disappointment. These discouraging comments had dashed poor David's
spirits more than once; but he was beginning to discover that they
were invariably accompanied or followed by an access of cheerful zeal
in the desperate cause--a pleasing phenomenon, though somewhat
unintelligible to this honest fellow, who had never microscoped the
enigmatical sex.
Mrs. Bazalgette reproached Lucy: "You never told me how handsome Mr.
Dodd was."
"Didn't I?
"No. He is the handsomest man I ever saw."
"I have not observed that, but I think he is one of the worthiest."
"I should not wonder," said the other lady, carelessly. "It is clear
you don't appreciate him here. You half apologized to me for inviting
him."
"That was because you are such a fashionable lady, and the Dodds have
no such pretensions."
"All the better; my taste is not for sophisticated people. I only put
up with them because I am obliged. Why, Lucy, you ought to know how my
heart yearns for nature and truth; I am sure I have told you so often
enough. An hour spent with a simple, natural creature like Captain
Dodd refreshes me as a cooling breeze after the heat and odors of a
crowded room.
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