had a vague idea that Boulogne was not a resort of the world's envied; at
the same time there might very well have been a strong attraction there
even for one of the darlings of fortune. I could perfectly understand in
any case that such a darling should be drawn to Folkestone by Flora
Saunt. But it was not in truth of these things I was thinking; what was
uppermost in my mind was a matter which, though it had no sort of
keeping, insisted just then on coming out.

"Is it true, Miss Saunt," I suddenly demanded, "that you're so
unfortunate as to have had some warning about your beautiful eyes?"

I was startled by the effect of my words; the girl threw back her head,
changing colour from brow to chin. "True? Who in the world says so?" I
repented of my question in a flash; the way she met it made it seem
cruel, and I felt my mother look at me in some surprise. I took care, in
answer to Flora's challenge, not to incriminate Mrs. Meldrum. I answered
that the rumour had reached me only in the vaguest form and that if I had
been moved to put it to the test my very real interest in her must be
held responsible. Her blush died away, but a pair of still prettier
tears glistened in its track. "If you ever hear such a thing said again
you can say it's a horrid lie!" I had brought on a commotion deeper than
any I was prepared for; but it was explained in some degree by the next
words she uttered: "I'm happy to say there's nothing the matter with any
part of me whatever, not the least little thing!" She spoke with her
habitual complacency, with triumphant assurance; she smiled again, and I
could see how she wished that she hadn't so taken me up. She turned it
off with a laugh. "I've good eyes, good teeth, a good digestion and a
good temper. I'm sound of wind and limb!" Nothing could have been more
characteristic than her blush and her tears, nothing less acceptable to
her than to be thought not perfect in every particular. She couldn't
submit to the imputation of a flaw. I expressed my delight in what she
told me, assuring her I should always do battle for her; and as if to
rejoin her companions she got up from her place on my mother's toes. The
young men presented their backs to us; they were leaning on the rail of
the cliff. Our incident had produced a certain awkwardness, and while I
was thinking of what next to say she exclaimed irrelevantly: "Don't you
know? He'll be Lord Considine." At that moment the youth m