It never occurred to either of them that it was an extraordinary thing for them to do upon the occasion of their first meeting. It is doubtful if they remembered that it was their first meeting.
He extended his palm, and she placed hers in it with the confidence of a little child.
"I promise!" she answered, earnestly. "It is not the slightest sacrifice to me, but it will be a great one to you if you have learned to like the game."
"Not if my giving it up will benefit you in the future," he answered, softly. "I wish that you would remember our compact of friendship tonight, and that if you ever need any one you will send for me."
"I am not liable to forget."
"And there will be so many evenings next week, next month even, when Mrs. Chalmers and her daughter will be at the opera and you here of necessity, perhaps alone. Will you let me come sometimes and keep you company?"
"But you will be missing the opera yourself."
"That will be so little by comparison with gaining an evening with you. May I come?"
"The promise means more to me than to you," she answered shyly. "I am not overfond of my own society, but I am afraid you will not be recompensed."
He smiled enigmatically.