Ah, there! She was seated, and had been hidden by a little group standing in front.

At this moment, Eustace Derwent was bending to speak to her; she gave a nod in reply to what he said.

As soon as the objectionable brother moved from her side, Piers stepped quickly forward.
"How delightful to meet you here! It seems too good to be true.

I called this afternoon at your house--called to see you--but you were not at home.

I little imagined I should see you this evening." Irene raised her eyes, and let them fall back upon her fan; raised them again, and observed the speaker attentively.
"I was told you had called, Mr.Otway." How her voice thrilled him! What music like that voice! It made him live through his agonies again, which by contrast heightened the rapture of this hour.
"May I sit down by you ?" "Pray do." He remarked nothing of her coldness; he was conscious only of her presence, of the perfume which breathed from her and made his heart faint with longing.
Irene again glanced at him, and her countenance was troubled.