"I was looking at it when Virginia suddenly addressed me and I dropped it." With airy self-assurance, he added: "Of course I'll pay for it."
Stafford shrugged his shoulders. Carelessly he said:
"Please don't give it another thought, any of you."
Leaving her companions, Virginia approached her host. Looking up at him earnestly, she said in an undertone:
"I can't tell you how sorry I am."
He was so tall that, standing close by she had to look up at him. As he stood there, so big and strong, smiling down at her, taking good-naturedly what might well have irritated any man, she thought to herself how handsome and nice he was. Looking into her eyes with the same ardent expression she had so often noticed in his glance, he said softly:
"The only thing that I could possibly regret is the fact that the incident might throw a little cloud over what I hope will be a very pleasant evening. If you want to be really good to me, you will promise me you won't even think of it again. Is it a promise?"
"I'll do my best," she murmured.
"Thank you." Turning to Fanny, he said: "And you?"
"Of course," she replied confusedly; "it wasn't any of my affair—but—"