It was when he had returned to the ball-room at the close of the first quadrille, and had met Lucia walking up the room with Mr.
Percy.

They had been talking together with animation; Lucia was a little flushed, and looking more lovely than usual.

Mr.Percy, for his part, appeared to have forgotten his cool, almost supercilious manner, and to be occupied more with her than with himself.
Maurice felt his cheek grow red as he recalled the picture.

He moved impatiently, and in doing so, displaced some loose papers, which slipped to the ground.

In stooping to gather them up, his hand touched a dead flower, which had fallen with them.