Then he hung about the hall smoking.

It was ridiculous--nonsensical--but he admitted to himself that he shrank from facing her.
At last a third cigarette put the requisite courage into him, and he walked slowly to the library.

As he entered the room, Elizabeth rose from her chair.
She stood there waiting for his orders, or his report--her quiet eyes upon him.
He told himself not to be a fool, and throwing away his cigarette, he walked up to her, and said in a tone of bravado: 'Well, the barricades are up!'.