She looked at me steadily, as if to read my motives, and then, as the smile came back to her face, said, “That is too pointed and abrupt; try circumlocution and I will be more communicative.”
She was so quiet and self-possessed in her evasion that I felt more than ever convinced that she loved her cousin, and said, with an attempt at ironical pleasantry:
“You are engaged to him, and can’t deny it. Invite me to the wedding, please.”
She laughed carelessly, as she looked out the window and replied:
“Your method of extorting information is so ingenious that I would dread its inquisition, were I not happily relieved by seeing yonder the object of your inquiries.”
As she spoke Lola’s phæton rolled to the door, and he and his companions got out. He came in, drew a chair to Carlotta’s side, and taking her fan from her hand fanned his face vigorously, turning it from side to side to catch the wind, and lifting the dark, curling hair from his high, handsome forehead. As soon as he approached I again felt that shrinking in his presence, that consciousness of a consciousness in him of superiority, though my own pride would not acknowledge it. He was such an Apollo in face and form, so elegant and recherche in style, that I was sure Carlotta could not help regarding me as plain and unsophisticated; and, feeling desirous of escaping the consequent awkwardness of my situation, I was about to go to my hotel, when Carlotta spoke:
“Herra, you ought to have remained with us. I am sure you would have enjoyed our conversation more than you did your ride.”
“If you conversed at all I would,” he said, folding her fan and returning it. “The road was so dusty we could not open our mouths. But you are fortunate, Mr. Smith, if you can entertain Carlotta for half an hour. Ten minutes is her maximum time of interest in what I say.”
“Now, Herra,” said Carlotta, “You know I was with you a whole hour yesterday; but you would have been as much interested in Mr. Smith’s conversation as I was, as it was about yourself.”