"Sssh!" said Herries warningly, afraid lest her clear voice should carry too far.
"Yes. It's me," said Maurice stiffly, and rose. "But I'm going. I shan't disturb you."
"Disturb?" she said, and laughed a little. "Nonsense! Of course not." From her position on Herries's arm, she looked down at him, uncertain how to proceed. Then she laughed again. "But how fortunate that I found you! The next is our dance, isn't it?"—-she pretended to examine her programme. "It will begin in a minute. I think I'll wait here."
"The next may be, but not the next again, remember," said Herries, before he allowed her to withdraw her arm. Louise nodded and laughed. "AUF WIEDERSEHEN!"
But after the door had dosed behind Herries, she remained standing, a step higher than Maurice, tipping her face with her handkerchief.
When she descended the step, and was on a level with him, he could see how her eyes glittered.
"Was that lie necessary?—for me?"
"What's the matter, Maurice? Why are you like this? Why have you not asked me to dance?"
He was unpleasantly worked on by her free use of his name.
"I, you? Have I had a chance?"