Harvey thought more than he was disposed to say.  He marvelled at her sudden enthusiasm for an ideal he had not imagined her capable of pursuing.  If he only now saw into the girl’s true character, revealed by the awakening of her emotions, how nobly was his ardour justified!  All but despising himself for loving her, he had instinctively chosen the one woman whose heart and mind could inspire him to a life above his own.  ‘I should think it a dream,’ he answered, ’if I didn’t hear it from your lips.’

’But it is so easy!  We keep all the best things, and throw off only the worthless —­ the things that waste time and hurt the mind.  No crowded rooms, no wearying artificial talk, no worry with a swarm of servants, no dressing and fussing.  The whole day to one’s self, for work and pleasure.  A small house —­ just large enough for order and quietness, and to keep a room for the friend who comes.  How many people would like such a life, but haven’t the courage to live it!’

‘Where shall it be, Alma?’

’I have given no promise.  I only say this is the life that IJ should like.  Perhaps you would soon weary of it?’

‘I?  Not easily, I think.’

‘There might be travel, too,’ she went on fervently.  ’We should be rich, when other people, living in the ordinary vulgar way, would have nothing to spare.  No tours where the crowd goes; real travel in out-of-the-way parts.’

’You are describing just what I should choose for myself; but I shouldn’t have dared to ask it of you.

’And why?  I told you that you knew so little of me.  We are only just beginning to understand each other.’

‘What place have you in mind?’

’None.  That would have to be thought about Didn’t you say you were going to some beautiful spot in Wales?’

Harvey reflected.

‘I wonder whether you would like that ——­’

’We are only supposing, you know.  But show me where it is.  If you wait a moment, I’ll fetch a map.’

She rose quickly.  He had just time to reach the door and open it for her; and as she rapidly passed him, eyes averted, the faintest and sweetest of perfumes was wafted upon his face.  There he stood till her return, his pulses throbbing.

‘This is my old school atlas,’ she said gaily; ‘I always use it still.’

She opened it upon the table and bent forward.

‘North Wales, you said?  Show me ——­’

He pointed with a finger that quivered.  His cheek was not far from hers; the faint perfume floated all about him; he could Imagine it the natural fragrance of her hair, of her breath.

‘I see,’ she murmured.  ’That’s the kind of place far off, but not too far.  And the railway station?’

As he did not answer, she half turned towards him.

’The station? —­ Yes. —­ Alma! ——­

CHAPTER 12

Mrs. Frothingham was overjoyed.  In private talk with Harvey she sang the praises of her step-daughter, whom, she declared, any man might be proud to have won.  For Alma herself had so much pride; the characteristic, said Mrs. Frothingham, which had put dangers in her path, and menaced her prospects of happiness.