meantosayanythingunkind.He’skindnessitself,Iknow.”
Berthaflushed.“Whatonearthdoyoumean,Fanny?Whodidn’tsayanythingunkind?”
“IthoughtyouwerehurtbyEdward’ssayingyouwereadufferandabeginner.”
“Oh,mydear,youmustthinkmeafool.”Berthalaughedhysterically.“It’squitetruethatI’maduffer.Itellyouit’sonlytheweather.Why,ifmyfeelingswerehurteachtimeEddiesaidathinglikethatIshouldleadamiserablelife.”
“Iwishyou’dletmesendhimuptoyou,”saidMissGlover,unconvinced.
“Goodheavens!Why?See,I’mallrightnow.”Shewashedhereyesandpassedthepowder-puffoverherface.“Mydear,itwasonlythesun.”
Withaneffortshebracedherself,andburstintoalaughjoyfulenoughalmosttodeceivetheVicar’ssister.
“Now,wemustgodown,orMrs.Brandertonwillcomplainmorethaneverofmybadmanners.”
SheputherarmroundMissGlover’swaistandranherdownthestairstothemingledterrorandamazementofthatgoodcreature.Fortherestoftheafternoon,thoughhereyesneverrestedonEdward,shewasperfectlycharming—inthehighestspirits,chatteringincessantly,laughingeveryonenoticedhergoodhumourandcommenteduponherobviousfelicity.
“Itdoesonegoodtoseeacouplelikethat,”saidGeneralHancock,“justashappyasthedayislong.”
ButthelittlescenehadnotescapedMissLey’ssharpeyes,andshenoticedwithagonythatMissGloverhadgonetoBertha.Shecouldnotstopher,beingatthemomentinthetoilsofMrs.Branderton.
“Oh,thesegoodpeoplearetooofficious!Whycan’tsheleavethegirlalonetohaveitoutwithherself!”
ButtheexplanationofeverythingnowflashedacrossMissLey.
“WhatafoolIam!”shethought,andshewasabletocogitatequiteclearlywhileexchanginghoneyedimpertinenceswithMrs.Branderton.“InoticeditthefirstdayIsawthemtogether.HowcouldIeverforgetit!”SheshruggedhershouldersandmurmuredthemaximofLaRochefoucauld—
“Entredeuxamantsil-y-atoujoursunquiaime,etunquiselaisseaimer.”
Andtothissheaddedanother,inthesamelanguage,which,knowingnooriginal,sheventuredtoclaimasherownitseemedtosummarisethesituation.
“Celuiquiaimeatoujourstort.”