“Oh, I danced with you to hide my embarrassment!” she laughed.
Half an hour passed and they had touched and dismissed many subjects when she rose and caught the hand of a girl who was passing.
“Miss Mills, Mr. Storrs. It’s quite fitting that you should meet Mr. Storrs.”
“Fitting?” asked the girl, breathless from her dance.
“We’ve all met before—on the river—most shockingly! You might just say thank you to Mr. Storrs.”
“Oh, this is not——” Leila drew back and inspected Bruce with a direct, candid gaze.
“Miss Harden is mistaken; this is the first time we ever met,” declared Bruce.
“Isn’t he nice!” Leila exclaimed. “From what Millie said I knew you would be like this.” And then: “Oh, lots of people are bragging about you and promising to introduce me! Here comes Tommy Barnes; he has this dance. Oh, Millie! if you get a chance you might say a kind word to papa. He’s probably terribly bored by this time.”
“Leila’s a dear child! I’m sure you’ll like her,” said Millicent as the girl fluttered away. “Oh, I adore this piece! Will you dance with me?”
As they finished the dance Mrs. Henderson intercepted them.