With a soft quick indrawn breath the young man took it. He was evidently as perplexed as she was. Only by an effort did he release the girl's slim hand and find his voice.
"I am glad to meet you, Miss Enistor!"
His voice broke the spell, and Alice became aware—at least she thought as much—that she had been acting foolishly. Of course he would be confused to meet the niece of the lady whose money he had inherited. That was the reason of his odd look and strange silence. But she would put him at his ease at once, since there was nothing to be gained by being stiff with a perfectly innocent person. And then—here came in the momentary memory again—she liked him at sight more than any one she had ever seen. She repeated his words.
"I am glad to meet you, Mr. Montrose!" and then the two smiled at one another in a somewhat embarrassed way.
"There's the gong," cried Mrs. Barrast gaily, "your arm, doctor. We shall have a pleasant dinner and a delightful evening!"
"I am sure of that, Mrs. Barrast," said the other positively. "The evening has commenced most auspiciously."
Alice asked herself what he meant and laid her hand on Montrose's arm. She did not get an answer to her mental question until much later.