Blanche Evers was sitting at the window with a book, but she
relinquished the volume with an alacrity that showed it had not been
absorbing, and began to chatter with her customary frankness.

"Well, I must say I am glad to see some one!" cried the young girl,
passing before the mirror and giving a touch to her charming tresses.

"Even if it 's only me," Bernard exclaimed, laughing.

"I did n't mean that. I am sure I am very glad to see you--I should
think you would have found out that by this time. I mean I 'm glad to
see any one--especially a man. I suppose it 's improper for me to say
that--especially to you! There--you see I do think more of you than of
some gentlemen. Why especially to you? Well, because you always seem to
me to want to take advantage. I did n't say a base advantage; I did n't
accuse you of anything dreadful. I 'm sure I want to take advantage,
too--I take it whenever I can. You see I take advantage of your being
here--I 've got so many things to say. I have n't spoken a word in three
days, and I 'm sure it is a pleasant change--a gentleman's visit. All of
a sudden we have gone into mourning; I 'm sure I don't know who 's dead.
Is it Mr. Gordon Wright? It 's some idea of Mrs. Vivian's--I 'm sure
it is n't mine. She thinks we have been often enough to the Kursaal. I
don't know whether she thinks it 's wicked, or what. If it 's wicked the
harm 's already done; I can't be any worse than I am now. I have seen
all the improper people and I have learnt all their names; Captain
Lovelock has told me their names, plenty of times. I don't see what good
it does me to be shut up here with all those names running in my ears.
I must say I do prefer society. We have n't been to the Kursaal for
four days--we have only gone out for a drive. We have taken the most
interminable drives. I do believe we have seen every old ruin in