The surprise of the evening for the Governor-General had been the appearance of every American woman wearing the shining helmet of the soldier of the ranks in token of their full surrender to Imperial authority.
“A beautiful idea—those helmets!” he whispered as they swept through the throng.
“You are pleased?”
“I am more than pleased, I am happy tonight. I know that only your brilliant imagination could have conceived so graceful a tribute to my Imperial Master—”
He paused.
“You are closer to me tonight than ever before,” he said softly. “I feel it, I know it.”
She turned her head and breathed her answer:
“Yes—”
The dancing ended at eleven-thirty. Waldron gave his arm to Virginia and led the way to the banquet tables. A band of stringed instruments, concealed in bowers of roses, filled the room with exquisite music. The waiters moved with swift, noiseless tread.
The revelry steadily grew faster, the drinking deeper, the dancing more exciting.