She smiled demurely at her mastery over this great heart, and said
to herself, "One would think I was a witch." Later in the evening she
eyed him again, and thought to herself, "If my company and a few
friendly words can make him so happy, it does seem very hard I should
select him to shun for the few days he has to pass in England now; but
then, if I let him think--I don't know what to do with him. Poor Mr.
Dodd."
Miss Fountain did not torment her bolder aspirants with alternate
distance and familiarity. She rode out every fine day with Mr.
Talboys, and was all affability. She sat next Mr. Hardie at dinner,
and was all affability.
Narrative has its limits and, to relate in some sequence the honest
sailor's tortures in love with a tactician, I have necessarily omitted
concurrent incidents of a still tamer character; but the reader may,
by the help of his own intelligence, gather their general results from
the following dialogues, which took place on the afternoon and evening
of the terrible infant's escapade.
Mrs. Bazalgette. "'Well, my dear friend, and how does this
naughty girl of mine use you?"
Mr. Hardie. "As well as I could expect, and better than I
deserve."
Mrs. B. "Then she must be cleverer than any girl that ever
breathed. However, she does appreciate your conversation; she makes no
secret of it."
Mr. H. "I have so little reason to complain of my reception
that I will make my proposal to her this evening if you think proper.
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