If you don't know how, come to me and
I'll teach you."
"You!" exclaimed Mr. Vanstone. "What do you know about it?"
"Pray, papa, be serious! I have the strongest internal conviction that
I could act every character in the play--Falkland included. Don't let me
have to speak a second time, Frank. Come and be introduced."
She took her father's arm, and moved on with him to the door of the
greenhouse. At the steps, she turned and looked round to see if Frank
was following her. It was only the action of a moment; but in
that moment her natural firmness of will rallied all its
resources--strengthened itself with the influence of her beauty
--commanded--and conquered. She looked lovely: the flush was tenderly
bright in her cheeks; the radiant pleasure shone and sparkled in her
eyes; the position of her figure, turned suddenly from the waist upward,
disclosed its delicate strength, its supple firmness, its seductive,
serpentine grace. "Come!" she said, with a coquettish beckoning action
of her head. "Come, Frank!"
Few men of forty would have resisted her at that moment. Frank was
twenty last birthday. In other words, he threw aside his cigar, and
followed her out of the greenhouse.
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