Something indefinable had arisen between them which held the man dumb and nerveless.

Suddenly they came face to face with Mrs.
Herndon, and Brant felt the girl's arm twitch.
"I have been looking everywhere for you, Naida," Mrs.Herndon said, a slight complaint in her voice.

"We were going home." Naida's cheeks reddened painfully.
"I am so sorry if I have kept you waiting," her words spoken with a rush, "but--but, Lieutenant Brant was intending to accompany me.

We were just starting for the cloak-room." "Oh, indeed!" Mrs.Herndon's expression was noncommittal, while her eyes surveyed the lieutenant.
"With your permission, of course," he said.
"I hardly think I have any need to interfere." They separated, the younger people walking slowly, silently toward the door.

He held her arm, assisting her to descend the stairway, his lips murmuring a few commonplaces, to which she scarcely returned even monosyllabic replies, although she frequently flashed shy glances at his grave face.