And since I have been the means of
bringing the pair of turtle-doves together, I hope they're happy."
"Ah, Leo, you do not understand," Nina said to him--for Miss Girond was
now talking to Mr. Carey, who had come up.
"I don't understand what?"
"You do not understand Miss Burgoyne," said Nina.
"What don't I understand about her, then?"
Nina shook her head.
"Why should I say? You will not believe. Perhaps she is grateful to you
for bringing in that young man--yes, perhaps--but if she would rather
have yourself to go and talk with her and be her companion before all
those people? Oh, you do not believe? No, you are too modest--as she is
vain and jealous. All during the dinner she was playing coquette,
openly, for every one to see; Estelle says it was to pique the young man
who came from the other room; no, Leo, it was not--it was meant for
you!"
"Oh, nonsense, Nina!--I wasn't thinking anything about her!"
"Does she think that, Leo?" Nina said to him, gently. "Ah, you do not
know that woman. She is clever; she is cunning; she wishes to have the
fame of being associated with you--even in a photograph for the
shop-windows; and you are so blind! The duel?--yes, she would have liked
that, too, for the newspapers to speak about it, and the public to talk,
and her name and yours together; but then she says, 'No, he will owe
more to me if I interfere and get an apology for him,' It is one way or
the other way--anything to win your attention--that you should care for
her--and that you should show it to the world--"
"Nina, Nina," said he, "you want to make me outrageously vain.
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