Alice's hand rests on the sack of tobacco in her pocket, and she wonders why she is inventing cigars for a man who is not hers to impress. As far as she is concerned, Russell might be wearing a sign that says 'Engaged', and she is no claim-jumper while the notice is posted. But habit rules her. When he jokes that the clerk may have taken her for a Spanish countess, she hums 'La Paloma', snaps her fingers like castanets and asks whether he would take her for one. He says he would take her for anything she wanted him to. That surprises her, and she is glad he came.
She raises Walter before he can, explaining that her brother is original, tells wonderful stories, and plays dice with the attendants to win their confidence; the family think he may write about them some day. Is she literary too? 'Oh, I'm just me!' Russell is charmed by how quick and changeable she is, so unlike his cousin, and says so. Alice learns that Mildred introduced her only as 'a Miss Adams', and that it was Russell who asked to meet her. So she paints Mildred for him: perfectly perfect, adored by everyone, a big, noble, cold statue far above the rest, who hardly ever does anything mean. Girls all play tricks, Alice adds, laughing at her own.
She tells him about her stage fever at fifteen and recites Juliet begging Romeo not to swear by the inconstant moon. When he grows thoughtful at the line about love proving variable, she teases him that it is only about Romeo and Juliet, lets her shoulder touch his, and asks if he hates her mind-reading. He says it is pleasant, but it says 'Gentlemen, beware!' At her gate she calls it the foolish little house her father refuses to leave, though he lets the family be extravagant about everything else. He asks to call. 'As soon as you like!' Inside, the sparkle drops from her at once. Her mother asks whether that is the man engaged to Mildred, and Alice is not sure; he doesn't seem so very engaged. Then she goes upstairs, fills her father's pipe, and pets him while he lights it.
Coming Up in Chapter 11
After giving her father his tobacco, Alice goes to her room and sits before her three-leaved mirror, as naturally as a dog goes to its corner. She rehearses gaiety, doubt and love-in-hiding for her next meeting with Russell. Then she stops, studies her own solemn eyes, and whispers, 'Who in the world are you?'
