More probably he had meant the sting that his words conveyed, for, owing to a delicate knee-cap that had once been splintered by a bullet and still at times gave him trouble, Major Tudor was a non-dancer.

Whatever his meaning, the remark came upon her flushed triumph like the icy chill before the dawn, dispelling dreams.
"I am sorry," she said, with all the haste of youth, "that you sacrificed yourself to please me.

I hope you will not do so again.

Now that I am married, I do not need a chaperon.

I could quite well return alone." It was childishly spoken, but then she was a child, and the admiration she had enjoyed throughout the evening had slightly turned her head.