Neither one took any notice of what Victoriano and Alice were saying until they heard him say:
“That's all right. He is going to be married soon, then he'll be on the shelf. That's a comfort.”
“Who will be on the shelf?” Mercedes asked.
“Gabriel, of course; and I am glad of it, as Miss Alice has just coolly told me that he is the handsomest man she ever saw, forgetting that Clarence is here, and poor me, too.”
“Present company is always excepted,” Alice argued; “and the rule, I suppose, applies now, though I cannot well see whether it does or not, you being in the dark.”
“That is so. Come out of the shadow.” Clarence suggested.
“I can't now. I feel too abashed,” Victoriano replied.
“He will soon recover. His fits of diffidence don't last long,” said Mercedes.
“So he is diffident now?” asked Alice, laughing.
“Yes; that is why I don't want you to tell me that Gabriel is handsome; it abashes me too much.”