Flashing
jewels and gorgeous costumes made a glittering wonderland, through which
she moved as one beneath a spell. The magic of the East was everywhere;
it filled the atmosphere as with a heavy fragrance.
She had withdrawn a little from the stream of guests, and was standing
slightly apart, watching the gorgeous spectacle in the splendidly
lighted hall, when a tall figure, dressed in regimentals, came quietly
up and stood beside her.
With a start she recognised Fletcher. He bent towards her instantly, and
spoke.
"I trust that you have now quite recovered from your fatigue, Mrs.
Denvers."
She controlled her flush before it had time to overwhelm her.
"Quite, thank you," she replied, speaking stiffly because she could not
at the moment bring herself to do otherwise.
He stood beside her for a space in silence, and she wondered greatly
what was passing in his mind.
At length, "May I take you to have some supper?" he asked. "Or would you
care to go outside? The gardens are worth a visit."
Beryl hesitated momentarily. To have supper with him meant a prolonged
_tete-a-tete_, whereas merely to go outside for a few minutes among a
host of people could not involve her in any serious embarrassment. She
could leave him at any moment if she desired. She was sure to see some
of her acquaintances. Moreover, to seem to avoid him would make him
think she was afraid of him, and her pride would not permit this
possibility.
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