These misgivings burdened his mind even as he swung lightly with her to the music, and they talked together in little snatches.
He had forgotten Miss Spencer, forgotten everything else about him, permitting himself to become enthralled by this strange girl whose name even he did not know.

In every way she had appealed to his imagination, awakening his interest, his curiosity, his respect, and even now, when some secret seemed to sway her conduct, it merely served to strengthen his resolve to advance still farther in her regard.
There are natures which welcome strife; they require opposition, difficulty, to develop their real strength.

Brant was of this breed.
The very conception that some person, even some inanimate thing, might stand between him and the heart of this fair woman acted upon him like a stimulant.
The last of the two waltzes ended, they walked slowly through the scattering throng, he striving vainly to arouse her to the former independence and intimacy of speech.

While endeavoring bravely to exhibit interest, her mind too clearly wandered, and there was borne in slowly upon him the distasteful idea that she would prefer being left alone.

Brant had been secretly hoping it might become his privilege to escort her home, but now he durst not breathe the words of such a request.