“Oh no; of course not.”
“Well, what of it then? There’s no harm done,” he said [[105]]carelessly. “Or are you sorry that the fan was not intended for yourself?”
She gave a contemptuous shrug. “I am surprised that you should think me so childish. Only——”
“Well, what?”
She gave him a searching glance with those clear, true eyes, and he felt a little abashed under that penetrating scrutiny.
“Only—a young man—does not usually—make such presents—to a girl, if he is not very fond of her.”
“Oh, I like Eline very much; why should I not give her something for St. Nicholas?”
“No, Otto, you are not frank with me,” she said impatiently, and drew him with her on the sofa. “Come, sit down, and just listen to me. A sensible fellow like yourself doesn’t give a fan, of I don’t know how much value, to a girl, if—if he is not in love with her. That you need not try to make me believe; you never gave Eline anything before, neither did you give Lili or Marie anything this time. So, you see, I am not so blind; I can see well enough that there’s more in it,” she continued, and laid her hands on his shoulders. But all at once she stopped. “Oh, perhaps you think—perhaps you don’t want me to speak to you about it,” she stammered, almost frightened.
“Freddie, on the contrary,” he said softly, and drew her closer towards him, “I am very glad to speak to you about—about Eline. Why not? But suppose, now, that I really cared much, very much for Eline, would you think it so unwise in me?” he asked smilingly.
“Oh, Eline is no girl for you!” she suddenly burst out in passionate fervour. “No, Otto, no; Eline is not the kind of girl for you. She is very pretty, I know, and there is something about her—something very attractive—but to me she is—antipathetic, I assure you. Believe me, you must really not think any more of her, you would never be happy with her; you are so affectionate and good. If you really were to begin caring for her very much, you would perhaps devote your whole soul to her, you would want to live only for her, and she could not return you one-tenth of what you gave her. She has no heart, she is cold as ice, and full of egotism—nothing but egotism.”