Yet surely she must be present, for, to his understanding, this whole gay festival was in her honor.

Directly across the room he caught sight of the Reverend Mr.
Wynkoop conversing with a lady of somewhat rounded charms, and picked his way in their direction.
The missionary, who had yet scarcely recovered from the shock of Moffat's impulsive speech, and who, in truth, had been hiding an agonized heart behind a smiling face, was only too delighted at any excuse which would enable him to approach Miss Spencer, and press aside those cavaliers who were monopolizing her attention.

The handicap of not being able to dance he felt to be heavy, and he greeted the lieutenant with unusual heartiness of manner.
"Why, most assuredly, my dear sir, most assuredly," he said.

"Mrs.
Herndon, permit me to make you acquainted with Lieutenant Brant, of the Seventh Cavalry." The two, thus introduced, bowed, and exchanged a few words, while Mr.
Wynkoop busied himself in peering about the room, making a great pretence at searching out the lady guest, who, in very truth, had scarcely been absent from his sight during the entire evening.
"Ah!" he ejaculated, "at last I locate her, and, fortunately, at this moment she is not upon the floor, although positively hidden by the men clustering about her chair.

You will excuse us, Mrs.Herndon, but I have promised Lieutenant Brant a presentation to your niece." They slipped past the musicians' stand, and the missionary pressed in through the ring of admirers.
"Why, Mr.Wynkoop!" and she extended both hands impulsively.