Strona 282 z 416

"You are a good woman," he said gratefully, "and always seem to

be doing for others. No one will ever forget how you offered to

stand by the women of Grande Mignon while the men went fishing."

Again Elsa blushed, but this time the color came from a different

source. Little did he know that her philanthropy was all a part

of the same plan--to win his favor.

"And the things I know you must have done for my mother," he went

on. "Those are the things that I appreciate more than any. It is

not every woman who would even think of them, let alone do them."

Why would he force her into this attitude of perpetual lying? she

thought. It was becoming worse and worse. Why was he so

straightforward and so blind? Could he not see that she loved

him? Was he one of those cold and passionless men upon whom no

woman ever exerts an intense influence?