Suddenly Adrien turned to Hugh: “Don't you think we should go down?” she asked. “You know we must not stay late.”
“Yes, do come along!” cried Patricia, seizing Victor by the arm and hurrying to the stairs, the others making their way more leisurely to the dancing room.
The hall was a scene of confused hilarity. Maitland was nowhere to be seen.
“Oh! let us dance, Vic!” cried Patricia. “There is really no use waiting for Captain Jack. At any rate, Adrien will claim the first dance.”
No second invitation was needed and together they swung off into the medley of dancers.
“We may as well follow,” said Hugh. “We shall doubtless run into Maitland somewhere before long.”
But not in that dance, nor in the three successive dances did Maitland appear. The precious moments were slipping by. Patricia was becoming more and more anxious and fretful at the non-appearance of her hero. Also, Hugh began to notice and detect a lagging in his partner's step.
“Shall we go out into the corridor?” he said. “This air is beginning to be rather trying.”
From the crowded hall they passed into the corridor, from which opened side rooms which were used as dressing and retiring rooms, and whose entrances were cleverly screened by a row of thick spruce trees set up for the occasion.
“This is better,” said Hugh, drawing a deep breath. “Shall we sit a bit and rest?”