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Beatrix laughed softly her little bird laugh that had the music of a spring day. "If men knew what?" "If men knew " She paused, and blushed, and laughed again. "If men knew how women love sweet words when they are happy, and sharp deeds when they are angry! That is what I mean. I would have given my blood and the Queen's kingdom for a kiss when you left me standing there."
But the Donna Beatrix was just then too deeply interested in the tragic story of the two lovers, Calixto and Melibea, in the Senor Fernando de Rojas' tear-compelling story, to be able to enter into the discussion of so deep a question. "Forever," she said, looking up from the thick and crabbed black-letter pages, "why forever is forever, child always.
Then he broke in upon the tentative conversation which follows an introduction. "Pass, Beatrix! That's quite original. I told my cousin, Thayer, that if she could hail you with a new adjective, I should present you as a candidate for a dish of tea, some Monday." As usually happened with Bobby Dane's remarks, this proved the end of any serious talk, and Beatrix laughed, as she responded,
"The sight of you would go far to cure me, if I were," Thayer retorted. His words were light; but his face and his grip on Bobby's two hands contradicted his tone. "Glad of it," Bobby said flatly. "But tell me about Beatrix. How did the poor girl stand it?" "Like herself," Thayer answered. "It was enough to shake the nerves of the Winged Victory; but Mrs. Lorimer went through it like a heroine."
"And the problem," Sally added; "is Beatrix." "What about Beatrix?" Miss Gannion asked. "She is going to marry Sidney Lorimer, and she mustn't. Please tell us how we are going to prevent it." Miss Gannion sat still for a moment, with her clear eyes fixed on the glowing embers. "Are you sure that it would be best to prevent it?" she asked then.
For a moment Beatrix said nothing, but her lips trembled as if she were trying not to smile at what he said; and suddenly she could resist no longer, and laughed at him outright. "I cannot say the same for you," she retorted presently; "you are certainly not grown up yet!" This pleased Gilbert even less than what she had said before, for he was still young enough to wish himself older.
Why, you know, I couldn't have the tiniest flirtation with another man when I was as good as engaged to the Creature. That is one of my grievances. Just think how much fun I've missed! I used to rage to Beatrix about it, but she would tell me that I ought to be thankful to have the chance of making such a good match the Creature is rich, you know, and clever.
I've not congratulated him yet. That was one thing that brought me here." Beatrix flushed a little. "Mr. Lorimer was called to Washington, last Thursday," she answered so evenly that no one would have suspected the wondering annoyance which his hasty note of explanation had caused her. "Then he was here for your recital." Miss Gannion turned back to Thayer once more.
Then he recurred to his thought of Beatrix and Lorimer. If Lorimer had not kept a straight course during his honeymoon, what hope was there for either himself or Beatrix in the many, many moons to come? The strings and the wind took up the Allegro, and Thayer rose.
As time went by and the little Beatrix grew tall and straight and pale, Gilbert loved her quite naturally, as she loved him two young people of one class, without other companions, and very often brought together for days at a time in the isolated existence of mediaeval castles.
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