"There's a door from the dressing-room into the vestibule—you gave me plenty of time," she said quietly. "There happened to be a party I knew below when we came in, or we would not be here. They are to take me home—later."
"You went down—" he said slowly, at a loss whether to believe her or not. She nodded, and still incredulous, he went to the dressing-room, assuring himself that she had at least spoken the truth about the door.
"Well?" she said, folding her arms and laughing at him, but feeling every nerve and fiber alert with the sense of combat.
"Miss Baxter," he answered, standing by her and fastening his heavy oriental gaze on hers, "I have never, in all my life, wanted a woman as I want you!"
"I hope so!"
"Don't you know that?"
"It's the devil in me, then."
"The devil and the child," he said quietly.
She didn't like his look, so she motioned him away, saying:
"Something to eat first, please, and business later."