She led him on that evening, and he spoke with greater freedom than he had used with her before--greater freedom, she hoped, than he had used with anyone.

The lighted supper-room grew dim before his eyes, the noise and the laughter and the passing figures of the other guests ceased to be noticed.

He talked in a low voice, and with his keen face pushed a trifle forward as though, while he spoke, he listened.

He was listening to the call of the Road.
He stopped abruptly and looked anxiously at Violet.
"Have I bored you ?" he asked.

"Generally I watch you," he added with a smile, "lest I should bore you.