Her soul was developing itself as best it could for the enjoyment of conditions and things absolutely foreign to the possibilities of her lot in life.
Perhaps it was the light and heat of imagination, shining out through Alice's face, which gave her beauty such a fascinating power.

Rene saw it and felt its electrical stroke send a sweet shiver through his heart, while he stood before her.
"You are very beautiful to-night Alice," he presently said, with a suddenness which took even her alertness by surprise.

A flush rose to his dark face and immediately gave way to a grayish pallor.

His heart came near stopping on the instant, he was so shocked by his own daring; but he laid a hand on her hair, stroking it softly.
Just a moment she was at a loss, looking a trifle embarrassed, then with a merry laugh she stepped aside and said: "That sounds better, Monsieur Rene de Ronville much better; you will be as polite as Father Beret after a little more training." She slipped past him while speaking and made her way back again to the main room, whence she called to him: "Come here, I've something to show you." He obeyed, a sheepish trace on his countenance betraying his self-consciousness.
When he came near Alice she was taking from its buckhorn hook on the wall a rapier, one of a beautiful pair hanging side by side.
"Papa Roussillon gave me these," she said with great animation.

"He bought them of an Indian who had kept them a long time; where he came across them he would not tell; but look how beautiful! Did you ever see anything so fine ?" Guard and hilt were of silver; the blade, although somewhat corroded, still showed the fine wavy lines of Damascus steel and traces of delicate engraving, while in the end of the hilt was set a large oval turquoise.
"A very queer present to give a girl," said Rene; "what can you do with them ?" A captivating flash of playfulness came into her face and she sprang backward, giving the sword a semicircular turn with her wrist.