The servants waiting on us no doubt laid her manner
to shyness; I understood it, or thought I did--but I was not troubled.
It is as natural for me to hope as to breathe; and with my knowledge of
character, how could I take seriously the moods and impulses of one whom I
regarded as a childlike girl, trained to false pride and false ideals? "She
has chosen to stay with me," said I to myself. "Actions count, not words or
manner. A few days or weeks, and she will be herself, and mine." And I went
gaily on with my efforts to interest her, to make her smile and forget the
role she had commanded herself to play. Nor was I wholly unsuccessful.
Again and again I thought I saw a gleam of interest in her eyes or the
beginnings of a smile about that sweet mouth of hers. I was careful not to
overdo my part.
As soon as we finished dessert I said: "You loathe cigar smoke, so I'll
hide myself in my den. Sanders will bring you the cigarettes." I had myself
telephoned for a supply of her kind early in the day.
She made a polite protest for the benefit of the servants; but I was firm,
and left her free to think things over alone in the drawing-room--"your
sitting-room," I called it, I had not finished a small cigar when there
came a timid knock at my door.
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