Luckily for him, Mrs. Bazalgette liked the
sound of her own voice; and his good looks, too, went a long way with
the mature woman. Lucy and Eve sat together at the tea-table; Mr.
Fountain slumbered below; Arthur was in the study, nailed to a novel;
Eve, under a careless exterior, watched intently to find out if Lucy,
under a calm surface, cared for David at all or not, and also watched
for a chance to serve him. She observed a certain languor about the
young lady, but no attempt to take David from the coquette. At last,
however, Lucy did say demurely, "Mr. Dodd seems to appreciate my
aunt."
"Don't you think it is rather the other way?"
"That is an insidious question, Miss Dodd. I shall make no admissions;
but I warn you she is a very fascinating woman."
"My brother is greatly admired by the ladies, too."
"Oh, since I praised my champion, you have a right to praise yours.
But he will get the worst in that little encounter."
"Why so?
"Because my sprightly aunt forgets the very names of her conquests
when once she has thoroughly made them."
"She will never make this one; my brother carries an armor against
coquettes."
"Ay, indeed; and pray what may that be?" inquired Lucy, a little
quizzingly.
"A true and deep attachment."
"Ah!"
"And if you will look at him a little closer you will see that he
would be glad to get away from that old flirt; but David is very
polite to ladies."
Lucy stole a look from under her silken lashes, and it so happened
that at that very moment she encountered a sorrowful glance from David
that said plainly enough, I am obliged to be here, but I long to be
there.
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