“Not in the least,” answered Grace, fixing her dark eyes upon him with a look of cold surprise.
CHAPTER III.
The stare of astonishment with which Grace Fearing met George’s singular method of beginning a conversation rather disconcerted him, although he had half expected it. He had asked the question while still under the impression of Totty’s absurd advice, unable any longer to refrain from communicating his feelings to some one.
“You seem surprised,” he said. “I will explain. I do not care a straw for any of those things myself, but as we walked here my cousin was giving me a lecture about conversation in society.”
“And she advised you to talk to us about horses?” inquired Miss Grace, beginning to smile.
“No. Not to you. She gave me to understand that you were both very clever, but she gave me a list of things about which a man should talk in general society, and I flatter myself that I have remembered the catalogue pretty accurately.”
“Indeed you have!” This time Grace laughed.
“Yes. And now that we have eliminated horses, yachts, and fashions, by mutual consent, shall we talk about less important things?”
“Certainly. Where shall we begin?”
“With whatever you prefer. What do you like best in the world?”