She spoke
of little but our last trip over this same road, and, as we passed
objects on the way, told me of what Brandon had said at this place
and that. She laughed and dimpled exquisitely in relating how she had
deliberately made opportunities for him to flatter her, until, at
last, he smiled in her face and told her she was the most beautiful
creature living, but that "after all, 'beauty was as beauty did!'"
"That made me angry," said she. "I pouted for a while, and, two or
three times, was on the point of dismissing him, but thought better of
it and asked him plainly wherein I did so much amiss. Then what do you
think the impudent fellow said?"
"I cannot guess."
"He said: 'Oh, there is so much it would take a lifetime to tell it.'
"This made me furious, but I could not answer, and a moment later he
said: 'Nevertheless I should be only too glad to undertake the task.'
"The thought never occurred to either of us then that he would be
taken at his word. Bold? I should think he was; I never saw anything
like it! I have not told you a tenth part of what he said to me that
day; he said anything he wished, and it seemed that I could neither
stop him nor retaliate.
Pages:
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333