She was growing
very friendly with the two men, and beginning to take a far deeper
interest in Sir Tancred than she would have cared to admit even to
herself. His face of Lucifer, Son of the Morning, his perfect
thoughtfulness, his unfailing gentle politeness, his melancholy and his
very coldness, attracted her; and always watching him, she had now and
again a glimpse of the possibilities of energy and passion which
underlay the mask of his languor. At times, too, her woman's intuition
assured her that, for all his dislike, or rather distaste, of women,
she attracted him.
Unfortunately, but naturally, Sir Tancred and Lord Crosland were not
the only men who found her beautiful. Monsieur le Comte Sigismond de
Puy-de-Dome, hero of many duels and more scandals, and darling of the
Nationalist Press, also saw her beauty. With him to see was to act,
and he never passed her without a conquering twirl of his waxed
moustache, and a staring leer which he fondly believed to be a glance
teeming with passion. Since even he, conscious as he was of his
extraordinary fascination, could hardly mistake her look of annoyance
for the glow of responsive passion, he resolved on more masterly
action. He kept a careful watch, and one afternoon followed her and
Tinker and Elsie on one of their walks.
Pages:
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178