Why do you use this tone?
Do I strike you as a pedagogue, a preacher--something of that sort ?' His energy in part subdued her.

She smiled uneasily.
'No.

I don't see you in that light.' 'So much the better.

I wanted to appear to you simply a man, and one who has--perhaps--the misfortune to see in _you_ only a very beautiful and a very desirable woman.' Alma sat motionless.

Her smile had passed, vanishing in a swift gleam of pleasure which left her countenance bright, though grave.