Mary saw the manner quickly enough--what woman ever missed it, much
less so keen-eyed a girl as she--and it gave her confidence, and
brought back the easy banter of her old time manner.

"How modest we have become! Where is the boldness of which we used to
have so much? Kind? Have I always been so? How about the first time I
met you? Was I kind then? And as to condescension, don't--don't use
that word between us."

"No," returned Brandon, who, in his turn, was recovering himself, "no,
I can't say that you were very kind at first. How you did fly out at
me and surprise me. It was so unexpected it almost took me off my
feet," and they both laughed in remembering the scene of their first
meeting. "No, I can't say your kindness showed itself very strongly in
that first interview, but it was there nevertheless, and when Lady
Jane led me back, your real nature asserted itself, as it always does,
and you were kind to me; kind as only you can be."

That was getting very near to the sentimental; dangerously near, he
thought; and he said to himself: "If this does not end quickly I shall
have to escape."

"You are easily satisfied if you call that good," laughingly returned
Mary. "I can be ever so much better than that if I try."

"Let me see you try," said Brandon.

"Why, I'm trying now," answered Mary with a distracting little pout.
"Don't you know genuine out-and-out goodness when you see it? I'm