Confidence

th her very often; conversation formed indeed the chief entertainment of the quiet little circle of which he was a member. They sat on the terrace and talked in the ming

l he should seek her society. In fact, he was never very far off; but Bernard, for three or four days, had the anomalous consciousness of being still nearer. Presently, however, he perceived that he owed this privilege simply to his friend's desire that he should become acquainted with Miss Vivian-should receive a vivid impression of a person in whom Gordon was so deeply interested. After this result might have been supposed to be attained, Gordon Wright stepped back into his usual place and showed her those small civilities which were the only homage that the quiet conditions of their life rendered possible-walked with her, talked with her, brought her a book to read, a chair to sit upon, a couple of flowers to place in the bosom of her gown, treated her, in a word, with a sober but by no means inexpressive gallantry. He had not been making violent love, as he told Longueville, and these demonstrations were certainly not violent.

ming weather, in the beauty and entertainment of the place, and in other things besides, had not ceased to congratulate himself on coming to Baden. Bernard, after the first day, had asked his friend no questions. He had a great respect for opportunity, coming either to others or to himself, and he left Gordon to turn

ning as the two young men strolled along the Lichtenthal All

of a singularly clever and com

use. You have found out she is

fies to you that I should find Miss Vivian out! When a man 's in lo

ch. But there is some excuse for him in the

xcuse. The loved object

d on in sile

n't care a button

way a man should tal

other fit of meditati

ou at liberty to s

w, you are ridicul

want you to say. You alway

to have opinions about her. I don't suppose you wish me to string you off a dozen mere

all that. But, at any rate,"

id Longueville.

ore?" asked Gord

, whichever it is,

"My dear Bernard," he added, "I thought

e. Such a view would imply indeed on Gordon's part a greater familiarity with the uses of irony than he had ever possessed, as well as a livelier conviction of the irritable nature

ly said. "I am as ignorant of w

athetic!" And as regards this last remark, Gordon Wr

topped im

does it matter to you

is sense-that she

it is all over, a

on, with a positive head-shake.

and on his friend's should

t almost pass for t

igned!" said

. But when wer

his eyes fixed on the groun

u came. But let us walk along," he sai

ch; for of course I spoke to her first. Well, Angela does like me-or at least she did-and I see no reason to suppose she has changed. Only she did n't like me enough. She said the friendliest and pleasantest things to me, but she thought that she knew me too little, and that I knew her even less. She made a great point of t

ects, for

a bad temper-that she led her mother a dreadful

erved; "Mrs. Vivian s

giving-all sorts of things. I remember she said 'I am ve

't put you off,

l. She was

well!" Bernard ex

call tha

t was ver

the point of view of w

nt at your interview-excuse the impudence of the hypothesis-I shou

her

her ab

me to give up my idea. She told me that after

you do it if she should try. Tha

ch other better and act in accordance with further knowledge. There was no hurry, since we trusted each other-wrong as my trust might be. She had no wish that I should go away. I was not in the least disagreeable to her; she liked me extremely, and I was perfectly free

rangement. And that 's your pr

esitated

ess, but n

els differently

at I kn

th a laugh, clapped hi

th, you are a

lluding to

There is as much of one as of the

spite of that enviable co

" Bernard exclaimed. "It 's yo

gave

t is to say

, then?" his compa

y lustrous star which twinkled-the night was cloudy-in an open patch of

derstand he

ou any day!" cried Bernard

Wright deserted his star. "Yo

on't in the least pity you; s

hat is not the way to keep me in

it you

eath-bewilder

t as highly" of Miss Vivian as he had ever done, he felt less at his ease with her than in t

r that I have just described to you. Her manner has n't changed and I have no reason to suppose that she likes me any the less; but she makes a strange impression on me-she makes me uneasy. It 's only her nature coming out, I suppose-what you migh

e in the telling, so that the two yo

If you don't want to be fascinated, what is one to say to you? 'Obje

g in the door-way of the inn; "when it com

ure you I don't wait till then. I like the beginning-I

come-I don't revel. To be fascinated is to be mystif

Bernard, laughing, as they