“But it would be tiresome to you. You have been through it all, and I would not like for you to make such a sacrifice to me.”
The blue eyes looked wistfully at him a moment, but the fond, reassuring glance they met in return made the lashes fall hastily to her cheeks.
“Do not call it a sacrifice, Sweetheart. It would be a pleasure to travel with you for a companion. I fancy that your interest in everything would make it doubly charming to me.”
Thea’s heart thrilled at the words. She thought, half bitterly, half with amusement:
“Really, I did not know that brothers ever made such charming speeches to their sisters. I know Emmie’s brothers were never very gallant to her. Come, I think I shall have a very agreeable brother, after all.”
But aloud she only said, gratefully:
“How kind you are to me! I wish I knew how to repay you, Mr. de Vere.”
Then after a moment, looking up at him eagerly, though shyly, she abruptly said:
“Will you tell me which you admire the more in woman—beauty or intellect?”
“What a strange question from a little girl like you!” he said, looking at her in surprise.