The exact strength of the picture, and the nature of the comparison drawn, were perhaps lost upon Archie; and indeed, Sophie herself probably trusted more to the tone of her words, than to any idea which they contained; but their tone was perfect, and she felt that if anything could make him talk, he would talk now.
"Dear me! you don't say so. I have always admired her very much, Madame Gordeloup."
"Well?"
The French ambassador was probably in the next street already, and if Archie was to tell his tale at all he must do it now.
"You will keep my secret if I tell it you?" he asked.
"Is it me you ask that? Did you ever hear of me that I tell a gentleman's secret? I think not. If you have a secret, and will trust me, that will be good; if you will not trust me,—that will be good also."
"Of course I will trust you. That is why I have come here."
"Then out with it. I am not a little girl. You need not be bashful. Two and two make four. I know that. But some people want them to make five. I know that too. So speak out what you have to say."
"I am going to ask Lady Ongar to—to—to—marry me."
"Ah, indeed; with all the thousands of pounds and the beautiful park! But the beautiful hair is more than all the thousands of pounds. Is it not so?"