"She is—fascinating," said Ronald Valchester.
Violet looked up quickly.
"Fascinating," she said. "What do you mean by that, Mr. Valchester? I do not exactly comprehend. Is it more—or less—than beauty?"
"I think it is more," he replied.
"More?" said Violet. "What could be better than beauty, Mr. Valchester."
"The power to win," said Valchester. "I have seen some very beautiful women whom I did not admire. They lacked that je ne sais quoi, which is so strong in Miss Meredith that I could fancy one might even admire her against his will."
"You mean the charm of the serpent," said Violet, innocently.
"No, I did not mean that in the least," said Valchester.
He bit his lip as if the suggestion did not please him.
"There is nothing serpent-like about Miss Meredith. She seems a gentle, fresh-hearted girl; but I do not believe I could quite define my impressions"—abruptly—"will you excuse me from trying?"