And yet something was gone from her warmth. She danced with him, chatted, laughed. But a chill was upon her. That little bloom of tenderness that had softened her words as the down velvets the peach, had vanished. Frost had nipped the firstling of spring.
Forbes was infinitely repentant, rebuffed, but not routed. He began once more to scout along her outposts.
"That hat you wore, you remember, day before yesterday?"
"Yes."
"I told you how I followed it."
"Yes."
"My heart ran after you like a newsboy calling to you. But you didn't hear."
"I'm so sorry!"
"All of a sudden you spoke to your driver, and he put on full speed up the Avenue, as if you were in a great hurry. I had a funny idea that you might be making haste to meet some man."
"Let me see! Yes, I was. I was hurrying home to meet Willie. He is always furious when I am late."