Page:Elizabeth's Pretenders.djvu/185

172 Hatty (quickly). "Alaric leaves very little space between the lines. If one tries to see too much, one is apt to get puzzled."

Baring (looking at no one, while he drinks his tea). "You are giving yourself unnecessary trouble about my writing. It is of no importance to any one."

Eliza (with a sudden irrepressible desire to be impertinent). "Oh yes, it is, Mr. Baring! Wben a person talks as little as you, one is additionally curious to decipher his hieroglyphics; that is, to know what certain signs stand for. I am getting to know your signs—the disapprobation stops, the contemptuous flourishes. I really think I read your writing fairly well."

Baring (coldly). "Do you?" (Then, after a moment's pause) "Well, as I said just now, it is no importance." (Turning sharply round) "Do you propose remaining any considerable time in Paris, Mr. George?"

George. "About six weeks altogether; that is my holiday. I want to see Fontainebleau. Have you been there. Miss Shaw?"

Eliza. "No. Madame Martineau proposed our going one day, before this fine September weather breaks; but I am afraid she wants to take the whole boutique. I should so much have liked to get some studies of rock and underwood there."

Baring. "Nothing to be done in a day."

George. "Why should we not make up a little party, and go there for three or four?"

There was a moment's silence. It was audacious of the young man, the new-comer, to propose it, perhaps; but audacity is sometimes rewarded. Elizabeth said she