intrigue.

"Yes, I do," he said with equal directness; and they smiled together
at the sharp report of question and answer.

The smile put Durham more completely at his ease, and after waiting
for her to speak, he added with deliberation: "So far, however, the
wishing is entirely on my side." His scrupulous conscience felt
itself justified in this reserve by the conditional nature of Madame
de Malrive's consent.

"I understand; but you have been given reason to hope--"

"Every man in my position gives himself his own reasons for hoping,"
he interposed with a smile.

"I understand that too," Madame de Treymes assented. "But still--you
spent a great deal of money the other day at our bazaar."

"Yes: I wanted to have a talk with you, and it was the readiest--if
not the most distinguished--means of attracting your attention."

"I understand," she once more reiterated, with a gleam of amusement.

"It is because I suspect you of understanding everything that I have
been so anxious for this opportunity."

She bowed her acknowledgement, and said: "Shall we sit a moment?"
adding, as he drew their chairs under a tree: "You permit me, then,
to say that I believe I understand also a little of our good Fanny's