"Then he is in love with her; or if he is not, he ought to be. She is
such a perfect little woman of her kind. She reminds me of a pair of
old-fashioned silver sugar-tongs; you know I am very fond of sugar. And
she is very nice with Mr. Brand; I have noticed that; very gentle and
gracious."

Gertrude reflected a moment. Then she took a great resolution. "She
wants him to marry me," she said. "So of course she is nice."

Felix's eyebrows rose higher than ever. "To marry you! Ah, ah, this is
interesting. And you think one must be very nice with a man to induce
him to do that?"

Gertrude had turned a little pale, but she went on, "Mr. Brand wants it
himself."

Felix folded his arms and stood looking at her. "I see--I see," he said
quickly. "Why did you never tell me this before?"

"It is disagreeable to me to speak of it even now. I wished simply to
explain to you about Charlotte."

"You don't wish to marry Mr. Brand, then?"

"No," said Gertrude, gravely.

"And does your father wish it?"

"Very much."

"And you don't like him--you have refused him?"

"I don't wish to marry him."

"Your father and sister think you ought to, eh?"

"It is a long story," said Gertrude. "They think there are good reasons.
I can't explain it. They think I have obligations, and that I have
encouraged him."

Felix smiled at her, as if she had been telling him an amusing story
about some one else. "I can't tell you how this interests me," he said.
"Now you don't recognize these reasons--these obligations?"

"I am not sure; it is not easy." And she picked up her parasol and
turned away, as if to descend the slope.

"Tell me this," Felix went on, going with her: "are you likely to give
in--to let them persuade you?"

Gertrude looked at him with the serious face that she had constantly
worn, in opposition to his almost eager smile. "I shall never marry Mr.
Brand," she said.

"I see!" Felix rejoined. And they slowly descended the hill together,
saying nothing till they reached the margin of the pond. "It is your own
affair," he then resumed; "but do you know, I am not altogether glad? If
it were settled that you were to marry Mr. Brand I should take a certain
comfort in the arrangement. I should feel more free. I have no right
to make love to you myself, eh?" And he paused, lightly pressing his
argument upon her.

"None whatever," replied Gertrude quickly--too quickly.

"Your father would never hear of it; I have n't a pe