"Oh yes, she is, with her brand-new husband."
"Really," he said, trying to sound casual, though the warning of her nearness frightened him and put his heart to its paces.
"I'll never forgive you for not marrying her after you flirted with her so dreadfully."
"Did I?" he laughed, wretchedly. "And you say she's in Paris?"
"She's right behind you."
Forbes felt as a man feels when some one says, "There's a rattlesnake just back of you." He became an automaton of wax and turned slowly as on a creaking pivot. Yes, there she was. Persis had just come in with her husband. The news, and the presence of the man at her side, sent a shudder through Forbes. The Enslees had happened upon Ambassador Tait, and Forbes could see that the old man was struggling hard to be decently polite to them.
Persis caught sight of Forbes, and her beautiful brows went up as she smiled. He had an intuition that her look was an appeal for mercy. Then she moved on with Willie, to lay off her cloak.
Tait, glancing about, saw Forbes and came to him at once. Mrs. Neff, seeing him, forgot the study she was making of Forbes' emotions. She demanded of Tait: "Have you seen Alice? I hoped she was with you."
"No, I haven't seen her to-night," he answered guilelessly, forgetting his rôle in his excitement.
"Then I must look for her. Come along, Winifred. I can't run about alone."