"It's a good deal," he claimed for himself. "It shows a beginning of understanding. And--given the opportunity--I hope to know more." He questioned of her eyes how far he might go. "It's the incomprehensible that lures. It piques interest and lends magic. Behind those eyelids a little weary all the subtle hidden meaning of the ages shadows. The gods forbid that I should claim to hold the answer to the eternal mystery of woman.""Dear me! I ask for a photograph and he gives me a poem," she mocked, touching an electric button.
"I try merely to interpret the poem."
She looked at him under lowered lids with a growing interest. Her experience had not warranted her in hoping that he would prove worth while. It would be clear gain if he were to disappoint her agreeably.
"I think I have read somewhere that the function of present-day criticism is to befog the mind and blur the object criticised."He considered an answer, but gave it up when a maid appeared with a tray, and after a minute of deft arrangement disappeared to return with the added paraphernalia that goes to the making and consuming of afternoon tea.
James watched in a pleasant content the easy grace with which the flashing hands of his hostess manipulated the brew. Presently she flung open a wing of the elaborate cellaret that stood near and disclosed a gleaming array of cut-glass decanters. Her fingers hovered over them.
"Cognac?"
"Think I'll take my tea straight just as you make it.""Most Western men don't care for afternoon tea. You should hear my father on the subject.""I can imagine him." He smiled. "But if he has tried it with you I should think he'd be converted."She laughed at him in the slow tantalizing way that might mean anything or nothing. "I absolve you of the necessity of saying pretty things. Instead, you may continue that portrait you were drawing when the maid interrupted.""It's a subject I can't do justice."
She laughed disdainfully. "I thought it was time for the flattery. As if Icouldn't extort that from any man. It's the A B C of our education. But the truth about one's self--the unpalatable, bitter truth--there's a sting of unexpected pleasure in hearing that judicially.""And do you get that pleasure often?"
"Not often. Men are dreadful cowards, you know. My father is about the only man who dares tell it to me."Farnum put down his cup and studied her. She was leaning back with her fingers laced behind her head. He wondered whether she knew with what effectiveness the posture set off her ripe charms--the fine modeling of the full white throat, the perfect curves of the dainty arms bare to the elbows, the daring set of the tawny, tilted head. A spark glowed in his eyes.
"Far be it from me to deny you an accessible pleasure, though I sacrifice myself to give it. But my sketch must be merely subjective. I draw the picture as I see it."She sipped her tea with an air of considering the matter. "You promise at least a family likeness, with not an ugly wrinkle of character smoothed away.""I don't even promise that. For how am I to know what meaning lurks behind that subtle, shadowy smile? There's irony in it--and scorn--and sensuous charm--but back of them all is the great enigma.""He's off," she derided slangily.
"And that enigma is the complex YOU I want to learn. Of course you're a specialized type, a product of artistic hothouse propagation. You're so exquisite in your fastidiousness that to be near you is a luxury. Simplicity and you have not a bowing acquaintance. One looks to see your most casual act freighted with intentions not obvious.""The poor man thinks I invited him here to propose to him," she told the fire gravely, stretching out her little slippered feet toward it.
He laughed. "I'm not so presumptuous. You wouldn't aim at such small game. You would be quite capable of it if you wanted to, but you don't. But I'm devoured with curiosity to know why you asked me, though of course I shan't find out."Her narrowed eyes swept him with amusement. "If I knew myself!
Alice says it was to make a fool of you. I don't think she is right. But if she is I'm in to score a failure. You're too coolheaded and--" She stopped, her eyes sparkling with the daring of her unvoiced suggestion.
"Say it," he nodded.
"--and selfish to be anybody's fool. Perhaps I asked you just in the hope you might prove interesting."He got up and stood with his arm on the mantel. From his superior height he looked down on her dainty insolent perfection, answering not too seriously the challenge of her eyes. No matter what she meant--how much or how little she was wonderfully attractive. The provocation of the mocking little face lured mightily.
"I am going to prove interested at any rate. Let's hope it may be a preliminary to being interesting.""But it never does. Symptoms of too great interest bore one. I enjoy more the men who are impervious to me. Now there's my father. He comes nearer understanding me than anybody else, but he's quite adamantine to my wiles.""I shall order a suit of chain armor at once.""An unnecessary expense. Your emotions are quite under control," she told him saucily.
"I wish I were as sure."
"I thought you promised to be interesting," she complained.
"Now you're afraid I'm going to make love to you. Let me relieve your mind. I'm not.""I knew you wouldn't be so stupid," she assured him.
