Conscious of this notice and its reason, Garavel drew
himself up; he walked with the tread of an emperor.
Kirk ignored Ramon's scowl as he requested the pleasure of seeing
Chiquita's programme; then pretended not to notice her start of
surprise. After a frightened look at her father, she timidly
extended the card to him, and he wrote his name upon it.
As he finished he found Mrs. Cortlandt regarding him.
"Will you dance with me?" he inquired. "Yes. I saved the fourth
and the tenth." As he filled in the allotted spaces, she said, in
a low voice, "You are the boldest person! Did Mr. Garavel give you
leave to do that, or--"
"Of course! Thank you." He made his way out of the press that had
gathered and toward the open air. He was shaking with nervousness
and cursed all government hotels where a man is denied the solace
of a drink.
Runnels pounced upon him just outside.
"Well, well, quick! Did you make it?"
"Number nine."
"Good! I was gnawing my finger-nails. Whew! I'm glad that is over.
Now pull yourself together and don't forget you have the first
dance with Mrs. Runnels. There goes the music. I--I'm too rattled
to dance."
Anthony found his friend's wife bubbling with excitement, and
scarcely able to contain herself.
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