Kitty was of course delighted, and took the case while M. Vandeloup leaned back in the seat, his hands behind his head, and stared reflectively at the leaden-coloured sky. Kitty took out a cigarette from the case, placed it between her pretty lips, and having obtained a match from one of her lover’s pockets, proceeded to light it, which was not done without a great deal of choking and pretty confusion. At length she managed it, and bending over Gaston, placed it in his mouth, and gave him a kiss at the same time.
‘If pa knew I did this, he’d expire with horror,’ she said, sagely nodding her head.
‘Wouldn’t be much loss if he did,’ replied Vandeloup, lazily, glancing at her pretty face from under his eyelashes; ‘your father has a great many faults, dear.’
‘Oh, “The Elect” think him perfect,’ said Kitty, wisely.
‘From their point of view, perhaps he is,’ returned Gaston, with a faint sneer; ‘but he’s not a man given to exuberant mirth.’
‘Well, he is rather dismal,’ assented Kitty, doubtfully.
‘Wouldn’t you like to leave him and lead a jollier life?’ asked Vandeloup, artfully, ‘in Melbourne, for instance.’
Kitty looked at him half afraid.
‘I—I don’t know,’ she faltered, looking down.
‘But I do, Bebe,’ whispered Gaston, putting his arm round her waist; ‘you would like to come with me.’