Now, however, she was certainly behaving as if she were encouraging the young American; she was animated, charming, sweet, and she was evidently aware that he was fascinated, and pleased by the fact.
Yet she had but a moment before been touched, tender, serious, moved by Gerard’s emotion, and ready to consent to think over the passionate avowal which he had made.
Now it looked as if she had never had a serious thought in her life. Gerard could hear her rippling laugh, could see the lively movements of her hand and head, which showed that she was talking as eagerly to Denver as he to her.
He watched them until they had almost disappeared, and then he suddenly set his teeth and resolved not to be thrown off in this manner. He would follow them, go up to the group of which they formed part, join them and the rest of the Van Santens, and find out, if he could, whether Denver was looked upon as the accepted lover he certainly appeared to think himself.
He knew very well, as he approached the group of which the primly dressed and gentle old New England woman formed the center, that he was very foolish to come so near the candle, and that he was risking the singeing of his wings. But Miss Davison’s attraction for him was stronger than his prudence, and a few moments after she had gone away with Denver, Gerard found himself talking to old Mrs. Van Santen, and listening to Cora and Arthur Aldington as they flirted merrily on one side of him, and to Miss Davison and Denver, as they talked eagerly and apparently with great seriousness, on the other.
Delia Van Santen, watchful and tactful as ever, was the least talkative of the party, over whom she kept a watchful eye, ever ready to avert discord and to put in a pleasant word if disputes threatened or if conversation languished.
Only one member of the family was missing: this was Harry Van Santen, the elder brother, and in Gerard’s opinion, by far the least prepossessing member of the family. He was at his club, the others explained; and nobody appeared to miss him.
Miss Davison did not turn once in Gerard’s direction, or appear conscious that he had joined the party. She seemed to have eyes for no one but Denver, and it was impossible to doubt that, so far from being disposed to resent the attentions of the young American, she was doing her best to attract him, and succeeding perfectly in the attempt.
Nobody indeed appeared to have the least doubt of what was going on; and Arthur Aldington, during one of the rare intervals when he was not engrossed with Cora, laughed as he looked in the direction of the two, and remarked to Gerard that there was little doubt that America was going to carry off one of our English beauties.
Gerard could not control all show of his indignation at the suggestion.