“You’vequitecapturedGerald’sheart,”saidMissLeytoBerthaadayortwolater.“He’sconfidedtomethathethinksyou‘perfectlystunning.’”
“He’saveryniceboy,”saidBertha,laughing.
Theyouth’soutspokenadmirationcouldnotfailtoincreaseherlikingandshewasamusedbythestareofhisgreeneyes,which,withawoman’speculiarsense,shefeltevenwhenherbackwasturned.Theyfollowedhertheyrestedonherhairandonherbeautifulhandswhensheworealowdresstheyburntthemselvesonherneckandbreastshefeltthemtravelalongherarms,andembraceherfigure.Theywerethemostcaressing,smilingeyes,butwithacertainmysteryintheiremeralddepths.BerthadidnotneglecttoputherselfinpositionswhereinGeraldcouldseehertoadvantageandwhenhelookedatherhandsshecouldnotbeexpectedtowithdrawthemasthoughshewereashamed.FewEnglishmenseeanythinginawoman,butherfaceanditseldomoccurstothemthatherhandhasthemostdelicateoutlines,allgraceandgentleness,withtaperingfingersandrosynailstheyneverlookforthethousandthingsithastosay.
“Don’tyouknowit’sveryrudetostarelikethat,”saidBertha,withasmile,turningroundsuddenly.
“Ibegyourpardon,Ididn’tknowyouwerelooking.”
“Iwasn’t,butIsawyouallthesame.”
Shesmiledathimmostengaginglyandshesawasuddenflameleapintohiseyes.Amarriedwomanisalwaysgratifiedbythecaptureofayouth’sfickleheart:itisanunsolicitedtestimonialtohercharms,andhasthegreatadvantageofbeingcompletelyfreefromdanger.Shetellsherselfthatthereisnobettertrainingforaboythantofallinlovewithareallynicewomanagooddealolderthanhimself.Itteacheshimhowtobehaveandkeepshimfromgettingintomischief:howoftenhavecallowyouthsbeenknowntoruintheirlivesbyfallingintotheclutchesofsomehorridadventuresswithyellowhairandpaintedcheeks!Sincesheisoldenoughtobehismother,thereallynicewomanthinkstherecanbenoharminfl