Part 16 (1/2)
”Oh, I don't mind about myself. It's all I'm fit for. I haven't any talent--except for dreaming.”
”And for making--_some_ man's dreams come true.”
Her gaze dropped. And as she hid herself she looked once more almost as insignificant and colorless as he had once believed her to be.
”What are you thinking about?”
She shook her head slowly without raising her eyes or emerging from the deep recess of her reserve.
”You are a mystery to me. I can't decide whether you are very innocent or very--concealing.”
She glanced inquiringly at him. ”I don't understand,” she said.
He smiled. ”No more do I. I've seen so much of faking--in women as well as in men--that it's hard for me to believe anyone is genuine.”
”Do you think I am trying to deceive you? About what?”
He made an impatient gesture--impatience with his credulity where she was concerned. ”No matter. I want to make you happy--because I want you to make me happy.”
Her eyes became as grave as a wondering child's. ”You are laughing at me,” she said.
”Why do you say that?”
”Because I could not make you happy.”
”Why not?”
”What could a serious man like you find in me?”
His intense, burning gaze held hers. ”Some time I will tell you.”
She shut herself within herself like a flower folding away its beauty and leaving exposed only the underside of its petals. It was impossible to say whether she understood or was merely obeying an instinct.
He watched her a moment in silence. Then he said:
”I am mad about you--mad. You _must_ understand. I can think only of you.
I am insane with jealousy of you. I want you--I must have you.”
He would have seized her in his arms, but the look of sheer amazement she gave him protected her where no protest or struggle would. ”You?”
she said. ”Did you really mean it? I thought you were just talking.”
”Can't you see that I mean it?”
”Yes--you look as if you did. But I can't believe it. I could never think of you in that way.”
Once more that frank statement of indifference infuriated him. He _must_ compel her to feel--he must give that indifference the lie--and at once!
He caught her in his arms. He rained kisses upon her pale face. She made not the least resistance, but seemed dazed. ”I will teach you to love me,” he cried, drunk now with the wine of her lips, with the perfume of her exquisite youth. ”I will make you happy. We shall be mad with happiness.”
She gently freed herself. ”I don't believe I could ever think of you in that way.”
”Yes, darling--you will. You can't help loving where you are loved so utterly.”