She felt bound to look happy to gratify an excellent lady presiding over the duller half of a table of eighteen.

She turned slightly to Captain O'Donnell.

He had committed himself to speech at last, without tilting his shoulders to exclude the company by devoting himself to his partner, and as he faced the table Miss Mattock's inclination to listen attracted him.

He cast his eyes on her: a quiet look, neither languid nor frigid seeming to her both open and uninviting.

She had the oddest little shiver, due to she knew not what.