But, notwithstanding her ease and freedom while conversing with the
uncle, an observer could not help detecting that she was shy, if not
absolutely embarrassed, when obliged to reply to some casual remark of
the nephew. Nor was Gustave more at ease than the maiden. In fact, they
were both happy at heart because fate had thrown them together; but they
would have been quite willing to enjoy that delicious silence which in
love is often more eloquent than in language.

In the mean while De Vlierbeck rattled away, with the ease of a man of
the world, on all subjects that might interest his guests; yet he
listened, with equal good manners, to Denecker's conversation, and now
and then adroitly threw in such hints as allowed him to speak learnedly
upon commercial matters. The merchant was gratified by his deferential
civility, and was drawn toward his entertainer by a stronger bond than
that of mere social politeness.

Indeed, all went on swimmingly, and all were pleased with themselves.
De Vlierbeck was especially gratified to find that Bess and her boy
performed their tasks so well, and that the spoons and plates were so
quickly washed and brought back that it was impossible to notice the
deficiency of their number. One thing alone began to worry him. He saw
with pain that while Denecker was busy with his food and chat he was
equally busy with the wine, and that glass after glass disappeared with
more rapidity than was agreeable to his supply. Besides this, Gustave,
who was probably anxious for some excuse to have a word with Lenora upon
any pretext, constantly asked permission to fill her glass; so that,
very soon after the soup and meat had been disposed of, the first bottle
was entirely emptied.

Civility required that it should be immediately replaced; and, as De