“I am trying now,” said Eugenia. “I should succeed better if he didn’t live here. I could never live here.”
“Make him go to Europe,” Felix suggested.
“Ah, there you speak of happiness based upon violent effort,” the Baroness rejoined. “That is not what I am looking for. He would never live in Europe.”
“He would live anywhere, with you!” said Felix, gallantly.
His sister looked at him still, with a ray of penetration in her charming eyes; then she turned away again. “You see, at all events,” she presently went on, “that if it had been said of me that I had come over here to seek my fortune it would have to be added that I have found it!”
“Don’t leave it lying!” urged Felix, with smiling solemnity.
“I am much obliged to you for your interest,” his sister declared, after a moment. “But promise me one thing: pas de zèle! If Mr. Acton should ask you to plead his cause, excuse yourself.”
“I shall certainly have the excuse,” said Felix, “that I have a cause of my own to plead.”
“If he should talk of me—favorably,” Eugenia continued, “warn him against dangerous illusions. I detest importunities; I want to decide at my leisure, with my eyes open.”
“I shall be discreet,” said Felix, “except to you. To you I will say, Accept him outright.”