And hastily, as if taking to flight before the new arrival, but not without casting on him another glance of contempt, she left the room.
"Well, what do you think of Jessie?" said Sandow, as soon as the brothers were alone; "and what progress have you made with her?"
"Progress! Surely, Frank, you did not quite expect me to make her a proposal of marriage at the first interview!"
"But at least you might lead the way to it."
"The way has opened most successfully," Gustave assured him. "We have already had a most lively dispute."
"Dispute! What do you mean?" and Sandow, who had seated himself near his brother, looked up as if he could hardly believe his ears. "Is that the way you begin your courtship?"
"Why not? At least it prevents indifference. That I certainly need not fear from Miss Clifford. She is prejudiced against me to the highest degree, and looks upon my leaving my country at your call as a kind of treachery against it."
"Yes, the girl has her head full of romantic ideas," said Sandow angrily. "That is owing to the sentimental, high-flown education she received from her mother. Clifford could not be induced to oppose it, although otherwise his understanding was healthy enough. He idolized his only daughter, and thought her everything that is good and beautiful. You will have to contend with these exaggerated ideas when Jessie is your wife."
Around Gustave Sandow's lips played a half ironical smile as he replied--
"Do you, then, think it is a settled thing that she will become my wife? At present I seem to have the most brilliant prospects of refusal."