Page:Georges Eekhoud - Escal Vigor, a novel.djvu/108

84. "I am very, very grateful to you for all your care of her," he added, with a little timidity.

The two young people were not long before they treated each other on a footing of comradeship. Under a frolicsome manner, Blandine concealed the deep and serious love which possessed her. Was it because she knew herself won to Kehlmark for life that she had no recourse to any of those artful manœuvres by which a woman binds a lover to her side. Her absence of coquetry contributed to put the timid and whimsical youth at his ease, unused as he was to poses of gallantry. Some days there were when he showed himself particularly attentive, whilst on others he looked at her strangely, and seemed to avoid, and even to flee from her.

Three years elapsed. It was in the month of May and the day was drawing to a close. The Dowager of Kehlmark was dining out alone, at the house of her old friend, Madame de Gasterlé, as was her custom once a month. Blandine was to call for her at this lady's, near the stroke of ten o'clock. Henry had retired to his room where he was working,—or rather pretending to work, for the