There were a number of men standing about between them; he hesitated to invite the full snub he deserved. Then he saw her silently disengage herself from the group about her and start directly toward him.
That galvanised him into action—rather brusquely—for he brushed a few stalwart shoulders as he caught the hand she extended in both of his.
“Can’t we find some quiet place——” she said unsteadily.
He drew her arm through his and they made their way in silence across the floor toward a vista of offices now banked with palms and flowers and invaded by the few who courted seclusion and each other.
A girl and a man gave them an unfriendly look as they entered the last of the offices, and presently took themselves off.
Eris glanced absently at the chairs they had vacated, then released her arm, turned and walked slowly to the embrasure of the window.
When he came to her she made a little gesture;—he waited.
After a while: “I couldn’t control my voice,” she said.... “I am so happy to see you.”
For the first time in his life, perhaps, speech stuck in his glib throat.
She said: “I wondered if you were going to be here. Are you quite well? You seem so.”