She greeted him with some surprise.
"You told me that I might come to tea," he reminded her. "If you're
expecting any one else, or I'm in the way at all, don't mind saying
so, please!"
She shook her head.
"I'm certainly not expecting any one," she said. "To tell you the
truth my visiting-list is a very small one; scarcely any one knows
where I live. Sit down, and I will ring for tea."
He looked at her curiously. "What a colour you have, Ernestine!"
he remarked. "Have you been walking fast?"
She laughed softly, and took off her hat, straightening the wavy
brown hair, which had escaped bounds a little, in front of the
mirror. She looked at herself long and thoughtfully at the
delicately cut but strong features, the clear, grey eyes and
finely arched eyebrows, the curving, humorous mouth and dainty chin.
Davenant regarded her in amazement.
"Why, Ernestine," he exclaimed, "are you taking stock of your good
looks?"
"Precisely what I am doing," she answered laughing. "At that moment
I was wondering whether I possessed any."
"If you will allow me,' he said, "to take the place of the mirror,
I think that I could give you any assurances you required."
She shook her head.
"You might be more flattering," she said, "but you would be less
faithful.
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