Nelly Lebrun was frankly afraid; and she was also delighted. She felt that she had been drawn into the circle of intense public interest which surrounded the red-headed stranger; she remembered on the other hand that her father would be furious if she exchanged two words with the man. And for that very reason she was intrigued. Donnegan, being forbidden fruit, was irresistible. So she let the smile come to her lips and eyes, and then laughed outright in her excitement.
"No," she said with her lips, while her eyes said other things.
"I've come to ask a favor: to talk with you one minute."
"If I should—what would people say?";
"Let's find out."
"It would be—daring," said Nelly Lebrun. "After last night."
"It would be delightful," said Donnegan. "Here's a table ready for us."
She went a pace closer to it with him.
"I think you've frightened the poor people away from it. I mustn't sit down with you, Mr. Donnegan."
And she immediately slipped into the chair.