Then he turned to Shirley with a smile.
“It is very pleasant to see you on your own ground. I hope your family are well.”
“Thank you; yes. My father and mother are here somewhere.”
“And Captain Claiborne?”
“He’s probably sitting up all night to defend Fort Myer from the crafts and assaults of the enemy. I hope you will come to see us, Mr. Armitage.”
“Thank you; you are very kind,” he said gravely. “I shall certainly give myself the pleasure very soon.”
As Shirley passed on with Chauvenet Mrs. Sanderson launched upon the girl’s praises, but she found him suddenly preoccupied.
“The girl has gone to your head. Why didn’t you tell me you knew the Claibornes?”
“I don’t remember that you gave me a chance; but I’ll say now that I intend to know them better.”
She bade him take her to the drawing-room. As they went down through the house they found that the announcement of the Emperor Johann Wilhelm’s death had cast a pall upon the company. All the members of the diplomatic corps had withdrawn at once as a mark of respect and sympathy for Baron von Marhof, and at midnight the ball-room held all of the company that remained. Armitage had not sought Shirley again. He found a room that had been set apart for smokers, threw himself into a chair, lighted a cigar and stared at a picture that had no interest for him whatever. He put down his cigar after a few whiffs, and his hand went to the pocket in which he had usually carried his cigarette case.