Page:In a winter city, by Ouida.djvu/290

Rh still, and could no more help putting her tiny finger into all kinds of pasties, and making mischief in a kittenish way, than she could help going on enamelling since she had once begun it, laughed at him, teazed him, and told him, what startled him.

"But she isn't here, and he is!" he gasped feebly, in protest at what he had heard, gazing over the motley crowd.

"What a goose you are;*—as if that showed anything! They can meet much better than in this place," said Madame Mila, with a saucy laugh.

He turned on her with a heavy frown.

"Hang it, Mila! you don't dare to mean"

Madame Mila was frightened in an instant.

"Oh, dear, no; of course not; only I do assure you they've been always together ever since I've been in Floralia. I thought you knew"

"Damn it, no!" he muttered. "I beg your pardon, I never see anything; I mean, I'm quite sure there's nothing to see."

"Well, ask her," said Madame Mila: then she added sweetly, "you know I'm so fond of dear