"She has rejected him,"—thoughtlessly.
"Ha!"—frowning; "so you were eavesdropping?"
"Wait a moment, Colonel. You know that I am very fond of music. I was listening to the music. It had ceased, and I was waiting for it to begin again, when I heard voices."
"Why did you not leave then?"
"And be observed? I dared not."
The colonel chewed the end of his cigar in silence.
"And now may I have that rose, sir?"—quietly.
The colonel observed him warily. He knew that quiet tone. It said that if he refused to give up the rose he would have to fight for it, and probably get licked into the bargain.
"I've a notion you might attempt to take it by force in case I refused."
"I surrendered it peacefully enough, sir."