They passed on to the staircase.
"It is necessary," she said, "to appear cheerful before one's guests." She had him at an advantage at every point.

"We will be cheerful, then," was his reply, spoken with a grim kind of humour.

"You have learned it all, haven't you ?" he added.
They were just entering the ballroom.

"Yes, with your kind help--and absence," she replied.
The surprise of the guests was somewhat diminished by the fact that Marion, telling General Armour and his wife first of Frank's return, industriously sent the news buzzing about the room.
The two went straight to Frank's father and mother.

Their parts were all excellently played.