“And I think Gabrielle a very charming—coquette.”
“I wish they would come, and get it over. I’m a sad coward, and am getting more frightened every minute.”
“Ah, you’re anxious to break the engagement. You’ll break your Gerard’s heart.” He was listening intently for the coming of the soldiers, and jested merely that he might distract her thoughts and keep up her spirits. “It will be awkward, by the way, if the officer in charge happens to be—another of them.”
“You seem to think the list a long one,” she retorted with a shrug.
“Let me see. To begin with”—and he made as if to tell them off on his fingers.
“Never mind, thank you. I can count for myself.”
“Your eyes make me almost wish I could count myself,” he laughed.
“If my eyes were speaking my thoughts——”
“Well?” he asked, for she stopped.
“They would be asking how many hands would be needed to count—my Gerard’s.”