She noticed the sudden flush sweep into Miss Norvell's cheek, the quick uplifting of her eyes, the almost instant drooping again of veiling lashes, and, quickly comprehending it all, stepped promptly forward just far enough to obtain a clear view of the young man's face.

The next moment the two had vanished into the night without.

Mercedes laughed unpleasantly to herself, her white teeth gleaming.
"Ah, Merciful Mother! so my ver' fine lady has found herself a lofer here already.

_Sapristi_, an' he is well worth lookin' at! I vill ask of de stage manager his name." Outside, beneath the faint glimmer of the stars, Winston offered his arm, and Miss Norvell accepted it silently.

It was no more than a short stroll to the hotel, and the street at that particular hour was sufficiently deserted, so the young man rather keenly felt the evident constraint of his companion.