There was an inviting "tone" to it all.
"I'm glad I've found you," began Constance to Stella, as though nothing had happened.

"There is something I'd like to say to you besides thanking you most kindly for the good time last--" "Is there anything I can do for you ?" interrupted Madame Charmant in a business like tone.

"I am sure that Miss Larue invited you last night because she thought you were lonely.

She and Mr.Warrington, you know, are old friends." Charmant emphasized the remark to mean, "You trespassed on forbidden ground, if you thought you could get him away." Constance seemed not to notice the implication.
"There is something I'd like to say," she repeated gently.
She picked up a little inking pad which lay on a mahogany secretary which Vera used as an office desk.
"If you will be so kind, Stella, as to place your fingers flat on this pad-never mind about the ink; call Floretta; she will wipe them off afterwards-and then on this piece of paper, I won't bother you further." Almost before she knew it, the little actress had placed her dainty white hand on the pad and then on the paper.
Constance did the same, to illustrate, then called Floretta.

"If Vera will do as I have done," she said, offering her the pad, and taking her hand.