Collected works > Edinburgh edition, 1894-98 - Works of Robert Louis Stevenson > Volume 26, 1897 - Romances, Volume VII

MR. ARCHER IS INSTALLED
*I fear you are but a flatterer,' said Nance, but
she did not say it clearly, for what with be-
wilderment and satisfaction, her heart was quite
oppressed.
There could be no harm, certainly, in these grave
compliments ; but yet they charmed and frightened
her, and to find favour, for reasons however obscure,
in the eyes of this elegant, serious, and most un-
fortunate young gentleman, was a giddy elevation,
was almost an apotheosis, for a country maid.
But she was to be no more exercised ; for Mr.
Archer, disclaiming any thought of flattery, turned
ofl" to other subjects, and held her all through the
wood in conversation, addressing her with an air of
perfect sincerity, and listening to her answers with
every mark of interest. Had open flattery con-
tinued, Nance would have soon found refuge in
good sense ; but the more subtle lure she could not
suspect, much less avoid. It was the first time she
had ever taken part in a conversation illuminated
by any ideas. All was then true that she had heard
and dreamed of gentlemen ; they were a race apart,
hke deities knowing good and evil. And then there
burst upon her soul a divine thought, hope's glorious
sunrise : since she could understand, since it seemed
that she too, even she, could interest this sorrowful
Apollo, might she not learn ? or was she not
learning ? Would not her soul awake and put forth
wings? Was she not, in fact, an enchanted prin-
cess, waiting but a touch to become royal ? She
saw herself transformed, radiantly attired, but in the
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