"What is it that you understand?"
"I understand why she has prevented me from seeing you, when you have been near me for almost a year."
She checked a little sigh, and then looked out at the water again.
"I wish I did," Gilbert answered, with a short laugh.
Beatrix laughed too, but in a different tone.
"How dull you are!" she cried. Gilbert looked at her quickly, for no man likes to be told that he is dull, by any woman, old or young.
"Am I? It seems to me that you do not put things very clearly."
Beatrix was evidently not persuaded that he was in earnest, for she looked at him long and gravely.
"We have not met for so long," she said, "that I am not quite sure of you."
She threw her head back and scrutinized his face with half-closed lids; and about her lips there was an attempt to smile, that came and went fitfully.