"Some one says so, or writes so, I think."
"And De La Rochefoucauld is right," replied Denzil, covering with kisses her velvety and unresisting hand.
"I never thought you cared so much for me, Mr. Devereaux," said she after a pause.
"Cared--Oh, Rose, can you use a phrase so tame as that?"
"Well, I mean--good Heavens, I don't know what I mean! I never thought you loved me. I had some idea that you preferred Mabel--she is so statuesque."
Rose had never thought this; but it suited her to say so, and gain a little time. She half closed her clear brown eyes, and smiling most archly and seductively under their long lashes at him, said in a low voice,--
"But you are so young, Denzil--dare I say Denzil?"
"But then you are only an Ensign--and people would so laugh!"
"Let them do so--he who laughs wins; one day I shall be something more," said he earnestly.
"Sit beside me, please, and not behind; I shall have quite a crick in my poor little neck by the way I have to turn--and I shall give you the reins too."
In a moment Denzil was seated by her side.
"And now," said she, "let us talk of something else than love; we have had quite enough of it for one day, my poor Denzil."
How his heart thrilled again, at the sound of his own name on her lips.
"Of what shall we speak--of what else can one think or speak when with you?"
"Oh, anything; how do you like this dress, for instance--my ayah trimmed it?" and while speaking she opened her soft cashmere shawl and showed her waist and the breast of her dress trimmed with--Denzil knew not what--for to resist putting an arm round that adorable waist (a movement which we dare not quite say Miss Rose Trecarrel perhaps expected) was impossible.
"Denzil--Mr. Devereaux!" she exclaimed--"oh good Heavens! if you--if we are seen by any one."
"Listen for a moment and do be reasonable. I can scarcely admit or realise the idea that you are _the_ one who is to give a tone, a colour, to all my future life. No, Denzil; you have paid me the greatest compliment a man can pay a woman; but it may not be. Let us be friends--oh yes! dear, dear friends, who shall never forget each other; but not lovers" (here she held up her ruddy lips to the bewildered Denzil) "not lovers--oh,no--not lovers!"