"A man you have seen once! He will despise you!" She could not keep the dinner waiting.

Bracing herself, she started for the hall.

A final glance in the mirror gave her better heart.
After all she was beautiful and beautifully dressed.

She descended the stairs slowly, whispering to herself at every step: "Be game!" Though the sun was still shining out-of-doors, according to Colina's fancy, every night at this hour the shutters were closed and the lamps lighted.

The drawing-room was lighted by a single, tall lamp with a yellow shade.
Ambrose was standing in the middle of the room.