Page:O Genteel Lady! (1926).pdf/286

 Sears Ripley and could hardly remember how such proximity to Mr. Jones had made her heart race within her breast.

'Lanice...' and yet her feeling for him was deeper, more lasting than it had ever been for the Englishman.

'I said in Winchester, you remember, I said that I would wait, and I have, six months, eight months.'

'Wasn't Winchester a lovely town? And I'm so glad to have actually seen the Itchen.'

He looked dogged and slightly hurt, 'As a matter of fact, I'm not making conversation—about Winchester.'

'What are you doing?'

'Well, I'm trying to propose.'

They both laughed, and Lanice drew away and considered him. Rather like a bear with his size and rough hair and beard and sagacious triangular eyes. Only his heightened color showed his inner excitement.

'If I were proposing,' she said, 'do you know how I'd do it?'

'Tell me...No, tell me louder. I didn't hear.'

'I said I'd have to show you,' she whispered.

She glanced about and listened a minute with upraised hand. 'Sssh,' she said. Gracefully and much to the man's amazement she cast herself on her knees before him, her skirts collapsing in circles about her. Out of the black lace froth, the tight bodice, the sleek head, the arms emerged like stamens from a flower. He saw her face color divinely and grow lovely. Her