He held in his hand a small cane, with which he cut angrily at the flowers.

The others regarded him uneasily, but for a while he said nothing.

Ned hardly breathed, so intense was his interest and curiosity, but when Cos at last spoke his disappointment was great.
The General complimented Veramendi on his house and hospitality, and the Vice-Governor thanked him in ornate sentences.

Some more courtesies were exchanged, but Cos continued to cut off the heads of the flowers with his cane, and Ned knew now that they had come from the ballroom to talk of more important things.

Meanwhile, the music flowed on.