But pride forbade her seeking him, so she had let him pass passively from her life until today, when in her aunt’s company she sought the Capitol, knowing that she was almost certain to see him there, and feeling her heart leap wildly at the thought, while she said to herself:
“Oh, how clever it was in papa to get that dreadful case of George Merrington so nicely covered up, and how thankful I am that people will never know the real truth about it. I would not like for Professor Desha to find it out. How he would despise me!”
So it happened that as the young congressman was nearing the close of his brilliant speech that day, some magnetic influence made him raise his blue eyes to the crowded gallery and meet the rapt, intense gaze of Viola’s splendid, luminous gray orbs fixed on him with an eager interest that almost robbed him of the last iota of self-possession.
She saw him start and almost falter at the recognition, and wondered why it could move him so.
When he left the hall awhile later she lost all interest in the animated scene, and persuaded her aunt to leave also; but it was a great surprise to her as well as to him when they came together, face to face, in the corridor, owing to the delay caused by his spending a few moments talking in the lobby.
They were about to pass each other with slight, cold bows, in spite of the fierce throbbing of either heart, when fate, in the person of Mrs. Herman, intervened.
The old lady who had all the graceful cordiality of the Virginia gentlewoman, started forward eagerly, exclaiming:
“How do you do, my dear professor? I am so glad to have this opportunity to congratulate you on your eloquent speech which I enjoyed so much.”
He had to stop, perforce, for a short chat with them, and then he observed in Viola a subtle, indefinable change, a gentle reserve, a dignified coldness, that somehow aroused in him a distinct pique.
“She resents my pointed neglect. Perhaps, after all, I carried it too far,” he thought, with some embarrassment, almost wishing for her old cordial vivacity.