As she turned to him, an impetuous rush of new life leaped torrent-like in his heart. Her eyes met his slowly, and for a moment he felt a pleasure acute with the exquisiteness of pain. Such sensations are usually transient, and in another moment he had himself well in hand.
“I want to say good night,” he said quietly, “and––”
“Will you come here to-morrow at eleven?” she asked hurriedly. “There is something I want to say to you.”
“I know that you are sorry for me.”
“That isn’t what I mean to say.” 222
A wistful but imperious message was flashed to him from her eyes.
“I will come,” he replied gravely.
When he reached headquarters he found the committee dismayed and distracted. Like Wilder, they counseled a sweeping denial, but David was firm.
“It is true,” he reiterated.
“It will cost us the vote of a certain element,” predicted the chairman, “and we haven’t one to spare.”