He felt this to be a venturesome, and
from the point of view of taste perhaps a reprehensible, remark; but he
made it because he was now feeling his ground, and it seemed better to
make it gravely than with assumed jocosity.
"Great surprises are to me never pleasures," Angela answered; "I am not
fond of shocks of any kind. The pleasure is another matter. I have not
yet got over my surprise."
"If I had known you were here, I would have written to you beforehand,"
said Bernard, laughing.
Miss Vivian, beneath her expanded parasol, gave a little shrug of her
shoulders.
"Even that would have been a surprise."
"You mean a shock, eh? Did you suppose I was dead?"
Now, at last, she lowered her eyes, and her blush slowly died away.
"I knew nothing about it."
"Of course you could n't know, and we are all mortal. It was natural
that you should n't expect--simply on turning your head--to find me
lying on the pebbles at Blanquais-les-Galets. You were a great surprise
to me, as well; but I differ from you--I like surprises."
"It is rather refreshing to hear that one is a surprise," said the girl.
"Especially when in that capacity one is liked!" Bernard exclaimed.
"I don't say that--because such sensations pass away.
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