And that instant changed the whole world. Gabrielle did not analyze the strange sweet weakness that flowed over her like a river, from head to foot. She did not say even to herself, “He is handsome. He is good. He is kind.” No need for that—too late for that. Her heart went to him simply, completely. She had been one woman a moment ago, she was another now. Much of what she had heard and read of love had been a sealed book to her; it was all clear now. Reason, logic, convention had always influenced her; these were all so many words now.
She heard Sylvia, turning her head to look over her shoulder and so bring a beautiful face close to his, say affectionately: “So many thousands of things to tell you, David!” and although she did not hear the brief words, or perhaps the single word of his reply, she heard the tone, and she heard Sylvia’s low laugh.
Gabrielle sat down on the stairs in the semi-darkness. Her heart was hammering, and her mouth dry. The world—youth—beauty, jealousy—love—marriage—all these things moved before her consciousness like maskers coming into the light. She stood up, on the halfway landing, and the woman in velvet with the tawny hair stood up, too. Gay walked slowly to the mirror, studied her own face. She was breathing hard, she was confused, half frightened.
She heard Maria calling her. Her aunt was asking for her.
“Say I’m coming!” Gabrielle said, clearing her throat.
David was down there, she would meet him—have to talk to him—before all their eyes——
She went slowly downstairs.
CHAPTER VII
Flora’s little Christmas house party for her daughter was a small affair, after all, but to Gabrielle’s confused eyes there seemed to be eighteen laughing and talking persons rather than eight in the sitting room when she came in. The girls had flung off their big coats, but still wore hats, and were apparently only warming their hands and finishing their greetings before being distributed in bedrooms upstairs.
From the group, however, Sylvia instantly separated, and Gabrielle forgot everything else in the pleasure of seeing her cousin again. Sylvia gave her a warm, laughing kiss and stood talking to her with one arm still about her, holding the younger girl off while she studied her face.