"Ah," he said ingenuously and with a thrill of fondness in his voice as he clasped her extended hand, "I am so glad you chose the box."
Mollie laughed musically, for his words told her that he had hoped to find her in evening dress, and was more than pleased with her appearance.
"It was very kind of you to give me the option," she replied with a glance which plainly told him that she had understood his motive and thoroughly appreciated it.
"Well," he observed, with a twinkle in his handsome eyes, "I thought we might as well make the most of our opportunity. What lovely flowers!"
"They are, indeed!" she returned. "Monsieur Lamonti sent them."
Then as she glanced at the lapel of his coat she continued: "And you must have a boutonniere; may I select something for you?"
"Not if you will have to rob this; I would not have a single blossom disarranged," said Clifford, as he eyed the bouquet admiringly.
"Oh, no; I have quantities more," said Mollie, as she gently released the hand which he had unconsciously been holding and turned to a table which there was a large glass dish filled with flowers.
She bent over them and paused to consider what she would offer him. Presently she detached three small crimson moss-rosebuds with a single spray of green leaves and held them up before him.
"Will you wear these?" she queried.