"Hope, Anthony - Frivolous Cupid" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hope Anthony)

the door open for her with a clumsy, apologetic bow. She smiled
scornfully and passed through. The waiter stood grinning in the
middle of the room, and when I, in my turn, rose, he whispered to
me, `It's all right, sir.' I went to bed and dreamed of Mary.

"On entering the room next morning the first person I saw was
Mary. She was looking adorably fresh and pretty. She sat
opposite a stout, severe-looking dame in black. Directly my eyes
alighted on her I schooled them into a studiously vacant
expression. She, poor girl, was no diplomatist. She started;
she glanced anxiously at Miss Dibbs; I saw her lips move; she
blushed; she seemed almost to smile. Of course this behavior (I
loved Mary the more that she could not conceal her delightful
embarrassment!) excited the dragon's curiosity; she turned round
and favored me with a searching gaze. I was equal to the
occasion. I comprehended them both in a long, cool,
deliberate, empty stare. The strain on my self-control was
immense, but I supported it. Mary blushed crimson, and her eyes
sank to her plate. Poor girl! She had sadly overrated her
powers of deception. I was not surprised that Miss Dibbs frowned
severely and sniffed audibly.

"At that moment the other girl came in. She walked up, took the
table next to mine, and, to my confusion, bestowed upon me a look
of evident interest, though of the utmost shortness--one of those
looks, you know, that seem to be repented of in an instant, and
are generally the most deliberate. I took no notice at all,
assuming an air of entire unconsciousness. A few minutes later
Mary got up and made for the door, with Miss Dibbs in close
attendance. The imprudent child could not forbear to glance at
me; but I, seeing the dragon's watchful eye upon me, remained
absolutely irresponsive. Nay, to throw Miss Dibbs off the scent,
I fixed my eyes on my neighbor with assumed preoccupation.
Flushing painfully, Mary hurried out, and I heard Miss Dibbs
sniff again. I chuckled over her obvious disapproval of my
neighbor and myself. The excellent woman evidently thought us no
better than we ought to be! But I felt that I should go mad if I
could not speak to Mary soon.

"I went out and sat down in the veranda. It was then about half-
past ten. The ugly fellow whom I had noticed the evening before
was hanging about, but presently a waiter came and spoke to him,
and he got up with a grumble and went into the house. Ten
minutes afterward my neighbor of the salle a manger came
out. She looked very discontented. She rang a handbell that
stood on the table, and a waiter ran up.

"`Where's the head waiter?' she asked sharply.

"`Pardon, ma'mselle, but he is waiting on some ladies