. . surely nothing serious?"
"Yes, it is. I've had a very unpleasant experience this evening, Richard
--very unpleasant indeed. I hardly know how to tell you. I feel so
upset."
"Come--out with it!"
In a low voice, with downcast eyes, Mary told her story. All had gone
well till about twelve o'clock: she had danced with this partner and
that, and thoroughly enjoyed herself. Then came Purdy's turn. She was
with Mrs. Long when he claimed her, and she at once suggested that they
should sit out the dance on one of the settees placed round the hall,
where they could amuse themselves by watching the dancers. But Purdy
took no notice--"He was strange in his manner from the very beginning"
--and led her into one of the little rooms that opened off the main body
of the hall.
"And I didn't like to object. We were conspicuous enough as it was, his
foot made such a bumping noise; it was worse than ever to-night, I
thought."
For the same reason, though she had felt uncomfortable at being hidden
away in there, she had not cared to refuse to stay: it seemed to make
too much of the thing. Besides, she hoped some other couple would join
them. But
"But, Mary. . .!" broke from Mahony; he was blank and bewildered.
Purdy, however, had got up after a moment or two and shut the door. And
then--"Oh, it's no use, Richard, I can't tell you!" said poor Mary. "I
don't know how to get the words over my lips. I think I've never felt so
ashamed in all my life.
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