So strong and compelling became this influence over him that day after day he held on, actually afraid to sever that slight bond of professional companionship.
This was most assuredly through no fault of hers.

It was at Shelbyville that she first spoke to him, first gave him the earliest intimation that she even so much as recognized his presence in the company.

The house that particular night was crowded to the doors, and she, completing a piece of work which left her cheeks flushed, her slender form trembling from intense emotion, while the prolonged applause thundered after her from the front, stepped quickly into the gloomy shadows of the wings, and thus came face to face with Winston.
His eyes were glowing with unconcealed appreciation of her art.
Perhaps the quick reaction had partially unstrung her nerves, for she spoke with feverish haste at sight of his uprolled sleeves and coarse woollen shirt.
"How does it occur that you are always standing directly in my passage whenever I step from the stage ?" she questioned impetuously.

"Is there no other place where you can wait to do your work except in my exit ?" For a brief moment the surprised man stood hesitating, hat in hand.
"I certainly regret having thus unintentionally offended you, Miss Norvell," he explained at last, slowly.

"Yet, surely, the occasion should bring you pleasure rather than annoyance." "Indeed! Why, pray ?" "Because I so greatly enjoy your work.