If he had dreamed the girl attractive before in the
plainness of street costume, he now beheld her in a new vision of
loveliness. His heart throbbed at the sight, every nerve tingling to the
intimate tones of her voice. And she met him in a more delightful mood of
informality than had found expression even during their afternoon ride.
She was apparently in the highest spirits, eager to overstep all
conventionality.
"Again you please me," she said, surveying him critically. "Really this
is too much, the wonderful way in which you meet every test."
"You mean in clothes?"
"In everything, so far. Clothes--yes; do they not reveal the very soul of
a man? I hardly think I could ever have forgiven if you had come down not
looking the part you are to play."
"Nor could I have forgiven myself, if I am to enjoy the pleasure of
taking you in to dinner."
"That privilege is yours even without the asking. But," quizzically, and
glancing up frankly into his eyes, "You may not care when the time comes.
For the great test arrives first. So, buck up, Captain, for you are going
to have the shock of your life. Whatever you do, even if you feel that
you are about to faint, don't, for my sake, let your face show it."
"But," he protested, "give me some warning, some opportunity to prepare
for such an emergency."
"No," she laughed gaily, "there is no time; it is ordained to fall upon
you like a thunder-bolt.
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