“Oh, but that is very, very beautiful, Mr. Levant; and you have a lovely voice! How kind of you to come and sing to us! And I am so grateful to Mr. Churchill for bringing you! You must sing again, must he not, Doris?”
He had risen and bowed to Lady Despard, but his dark eyes looked beyond her, and sought Doris’ face.
Her lips trembled, but she forced a smile; taking it as a request, he returned to the piano and sang again.
Lady Despard was in raptures, but he prevented her asking for another song by going across to Doris.
“Lady Despard will not play; will you?” he said. “You are not afraid now?”
“Yes, more than afraid,” she said, with a smile.
“Will you sing with me? Here is a duet!” he said, quietly, his eyes downcast.
“Do, dear!” said Lady Despard. “Miss Marlowe sings like a professional, Mr. Levant.”
Doris rose reluctantly, and he led her to the piano.
Mr. Spenser went and sat beside Lady Despard, and began to talk to her in an earnest but softly persuasive tone. The two voices at the piano rose and fell in harmony, and seemed to act as an accompaniment to his.