"You mean that a great lion like you, is far too noble to hurt a poor little King Charles!"
He shook his head, saying, "I never should think of comparing you to a King Charles."
"To what would you compare me then?" she asked, lifting her large, shining eyes to his.
"Are you angling for flattery, Ella?" he said banteringly.
"Flattery from you?" was her half-offended reply.
"Ah, I did not mean that,--I will tell you to what I love to liken you," he whispered very softly, leaning towards her,--"to a white lily, Ella,--you are just as pure and fair, with a golden heart deep down in your breast."
Her dark-blue eyes glittered with tears of tenderness.
"Oh Ella, if you only knew how I long to clasp you in my arms this moment, and kiss away the tears from those dear eyes! But ...." and he gave a glance around.
"No one is looking," she said saucily.
It was true; the ladies were absorbed in teazing Pistasch about his last conquest, and Truyn and Georges were again at it in argument over the internal policy of the government; but none the less did the sound of her own audacious little speech startle Gabrielle, and when Oswald with a merry glance whispered "Say that again, Gabrielle," she turned away.