and to demand additional light upon a variety of little points which Mrs. De Grey had been content to leave in obscurity. Paul was perfectly communicative. If Miss Aldis cared to hear, he was assuredly glad to talk. But suddenly it struck him that her attitude of mind was a singular provocation to egotism, and that for six weeks, in fact, he had done nothing but talk about himself,—his own adventures, sensations, and opinions.
"I declare, Miss Aldis," he cried, "you're making me a monstrous egotist. That's all you women are good for. I shall not say another word about Mr. Paul De Grey. Now it's your turn."
"To talk about Mr. Paul De Grey?" asked Margaret, with a smile.
"No, about Miss Margaret Aldis,—which, by the way, is a very pretty name."
"By the way, indeed!" said Margaret. "By the way for you, perhaps. But for me, my pretty name is all I have."
"If you mean, Miss Aldis," cried Paul, "that your beauty is all in your name—"
"I'm sadly mistaken. Well, then, I don't. The rest is in my imagination."
"Very likely. It's certainly not in mine."
Margaret was, in fact, at this time, extremely pretty; a little pale with the heat, but rounded and developed by rest and prosperity, and animated—half inspired, I may call it—with tender gratitude. Looking at her as he said these words, De Grey was forcibly struck with the interesting character of her face. Yes, most assuredly, her beauty was a potent reality. The charm of her face was forever refreshed and quickened by the deep loveliness of her soul.
"I mean literally, Miss Aldis," said the young man, "that I wish you to talk about yourself. I want to hear your adventures. I demand it,— I need it."
"My adventures?" said Margaret "I have never had any."
"Good!" cried Paul; "that in itself is an adventure."
