Half a dozen dancing men were waiting patiently at a little distance till she should have done with the colonel.

The piano and violin played the opening bars of a schottische, and she turned to go; but a sudden impulse made Corliss step up to her.

It was wholly unpremeditated; he had not dreamed of doing it.
"I am very sorry," he said.
Her eyes flashed angrily as she turned upon him.
"I mean it," he repeated, holding out his hand.

"I am very sorry.

I was a brute and a coward.