Maynadier encountered Miss Stirling in the hallway, with Herford in attendance. She met him with a glad smile, dismissed the Captain with a wave of her hand, and attached him, instead.
And he suffered himself to be attached. If Judith would not have him, until it pleased her, he would, at least, entertain himself. He had no idea of making her jealous, but it was as well to take her advice, and let Miss Stirling give him some "instruction."
She led the way to a quiet corner of the drawing room, and, for more than an hour, he sat under fascinations such as he had never thought a woman possessed. It was the first good chance he had given her, and she utilized it to the full.
And, presently, he, too, caught a bit of the infection.
"You are outdoing yourself, this evening," he declared.
"In what way?" she asked, artlessly.
"In every way—in beauty."
"For which I am not responsible—it was given me," with demure modesty.
"In fascination," he continued.
"Which is cultivated, for what it will effect; no credit comes to me for it."