She did not respond. With a splendor of indifference not often seen
even in the manner of our grandest ladies, she waited, opening and
shutting her richly feathered fan, as one who would say, "I know all
this has to be gone through with, therefore I will be patient." But
as the moments passed, and his tone remained unchanged, I could
detect a slight gleam of impatience flash in the depths of her dark
eyes, and a change come into the conventional smile that had hitherto
lighted, without illuminating her countenance. Drawing still further
back from the crowd that was not to be awed from pressing upon her,
she looked around as if seeking a refuge. Her glance fell upon a
certain window, with a gleam of satisfaction. Seeing they would
straightway withdraw there, I took advantage of the moment and made
haste to conceal myself behind a curtain as near that vicinity as
possible. In another instant I heard them approaching.
"You seem to be rather overwhelmed with attention to-night," were the
first words I caught, uttered in Mr. Blake's calmest and most
courteous tones.
"Do you think so?" was the slightly sarcastic reply. "I was just
deciding to the contrary when you came up."
There was a pause. Taking out my knife, I ripped open a seam in the
curtain hanging before me, and looked through.
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