The mere tones of his voice, with their lazy, distinctive drawl, set her heart beating in great suffocating leaps.

She had never dreamed of the possibility of meeting him--here, of all places, and the knowledge that only a few yards separated them from one another, that if she stepped out from the alcove which screened her she would be face to face with him, drained her of all strength.
She stood there motionless, her back to the wall, her palms pressed rigidly against its surface.
Was he coming towards here?
.

.

.

Now?
It seemed hours since his voice had first struck upon her ears.
At last, after what appeared an infinity of time, she heard the hum of talk and laughter drift out of the room.