It gives me an emotion to stand so high and see so vast
a view--but to-day we will play on the water and among the trees."
He had no desires except to do what she would do, so they landed for lunch
at one of the many little inviting hotels which border the lake in
sheltered bays. All through the meal she entertained him with subtle
flattery, drawing him out, and making him shine until he made flint for
her steel. And when they came to the end she said with sudden, tender
sweetness:
"Paul--it is my caprice--you may pay the bill to-day--just for
to-day--because--Ah! you must guess, my Paul! the reason why!"
And she ran out into the sunlight, her cheeks bright pink.
But Paul knew it was because now she _belonged_ to him. His heart swelled
with joy--and who so proud as he?
She had gone alone up a mountain path when he came out to join her, and
stood there laughing at him provokingly from above. He bounded up and
caught her, and would walk hand in hand, and made her feel that he was
master and lord through the strength of his splendid, vigorous youth. He
pretended to scold her if she stirred from him, and made her stand or walk
and obey him, and gave himself the airs of a husband and prince.
And the lady laughed in pure ecstatic joy. "Oh! I love you, my Paul--like
this, like this! Beautiful one! Just a splendid primitive savage beneath
the grace, as a man should be.
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