But the voice , though deeper and mellower , was the same , and the thin , clever mouth that went up at one corner and down at the other in a humorous twist ; and one little curl of reddish hair fell over his forehead away from its orderly fellows , just as it used to when she had loved to poke her fingers through it ; and , more than all , the deep-set grey eyes looking down into her blue ones were unchanged . Beatrice felt her heart beating to her fingertips . `` I thought you were not coming , '' he said . `` I expected to meet you here and I was horribly disappointed . I thought the bitterness of that foolish old quarrel must be strong enough to sway you yet . '' `` Did n't Bella tell you I had a headache ? '' faltered Beatrice . `` Bella ? Oh , your brother 's wife ! I was n't talking to her . I 've been sulking in corners ever since I concluded you were not coming . How beautiful you are , Beatrice ! You 'll let an old friend say that much , wo n't you ? '' Beatrice laughed softly . She had forgotten for years that she was beautiful , but the sweet old knowledge had come back to her again . She could not help knowing that he spoke the simple truth , but she said mirthfully , `` You 've learned to flatter since the old days , have n't you ? Do n't you remember you used to tell me I was too thin to be pretty ? But I suppose a bit of blarney is a necessary ingredient in the composition of an M.P. '' He was still holding her hand . With a glance of dissatisfaction at the open parlour door , he drew her away to the little room at the end of the hall , which Mrs. Cunningham , for reasons known only to herself , called her library . `` Come in here with me , '' he said masterfully .
`` I want to have a long talk with you before the other people get hold XXXXX you . ''
as at in of over than that though through to