She retreated, her hands clasped over her breast, her eyes startled; then meeting his eyes she began to laugh a little nervously.
“How you frightened me!”
“And it was evidently not the first, this morning.”
She sank into a seat, indicated another to him, away from the window, removed her hat and leaned back looking at him.
“No, you are not,” she said at last. “But account for yourself, Monsieur Loris! The sun is not yet half way on its course, yet you are actually awake, and visible to humanity––it looks serious.”
“It is,” he agreed, smiling at her, yet a trifle nervous in his regard. “I have taken advantage of the only hour out of the twenty when there would be a chance of seeing you alone. So I made an errand––and I am here.”
“And––?”
“And I have determined that, after the fashion of the Americans or the English, I shall no longer ask the intervention of a third person. I decided on it last night before I left here. I have no title to offer you––you coldest and most charming of women, but I shall have fame; you will have no reason to be ashamed of the name of Dumaresque. Put me on probation, if you like, a year, two years!––only––”
“No; no!” she said pleadingly, putting out her hands with a slight repellant gesture. “It is not to be thought of, Monsieur Loris, Maman has told you! Twice has the same reply been given. I really cannot allow you to continue 29 this suppliance. I like you too well to be angry with you, but––”
“I shall be content with the liking––”