Page’s countenance, which had been grave to sternness, relaxed until, slowly smiling, he looked into his companion’s eyes and beamed mutely upon her.
Hilda noted the change with private astonishment, and determined to experiment.
"She is so refined," she added after a pause.
"The perfection of refinement," said Page.
Gorham nodded. "It is a pleasure to see her move, is it not?"
"Yes, indeed. In whatever company she is, she makes her mark."
"And it is never a black and blue one either," responded Hilda, passing her handkerchief over her lips as she returned the rapt gaze of the earnest face drinking in her words. "There is so much in that. Her wit could never hurt. Her uniform, considerate kindness is her most prominent trait."
"Yes," responded Page, faithfully antiphonal. "Only a pure, true heart like hers could prompt such behavior."
"There is a subtle charm and stimulus in her society."
"And a restfulness, a satisfaction. It is hard to word it, but you have felt it; you recognize it. One can only say, it is good to be in her presence."
Hilda pushed back her chair so suddenly that her companion started. "Gorham Page," she said, gazing at him with sparkling eyes, and rising, "don’t you see what has happened?"
"No," he answered, removing his fixed gaze and pushing aside the vines, the better to peer about.
"Oh," he answered mildly. "I thought perhaps Blitzen had killed Electra."
Mrs. Page burst into laughter. Peal after peal broke from her, and she clasped her hand to her side.
"It is time you arrived," said Gorham, vaguely smiling. "I haven’t the least idea what ails Hilda."
Mrs. Page dropped her head on her husband’s shoulder.
"Gorham thought—thought that—that perhaps Blitzen—had killed Electra," she gasped.
"How intensely amusing," remarked Robert. "This girl is tired to death, Gorham," he went on, patting his wife’s convulsed shoulder. "She thinks she doesn’t want to go home, but I know it is time. Mrs. Van Tassel urges our remaining. What a spirit of sunshine she is! If ever there was an angel in a house, she is one."
Hilda lifted her head, to look at Gorham’s face. She found it beaming upon his brother with tender delight, and falling back she relapsed into another spasm of laughter.