Brant had been secretly hoping it might become his privilege to
escort her home, but now he durst not breathe the words of such a
request. Something indefinable had arisen between them which held the
man dumb and nerveless. Suddenly they came face to face with Mrs.
Herndon, and Brant felt the girl's arm twitch.
"I have been looking everywhere for you, Naida," Mrs. Herndon said, a
slight complaint in her voice. "We were going home."
Naida's cheeks reddened painfully.
"I am so sorry if I have kept you waiting," her words spoken with a
rush, "but--but, Lieutenant Brant was intending to accompany me. We
were just starting for the cloak-room."
"Oh, indeed!" Mrs. Herndon's expression was noncommittal, while her
eyes surveyed the lieutenant.
"With your permission, of course," he said.
"I hardly think I have any need to interfere."
They separated, the younger people walking slowly, silently toward the
door. He held her arm, assisting her to descend the stairway, his lips
murmuring a few commonplaces, to which she scarcely returned even
monosyllabic replies, although she frequently flashed shy glances at
his grave face.
Pages:
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228