ve to advance still farther in her regard.
There are natures which welcome strife; they require opposition,
difficulty, to develop their real strength. Brant was of this breed.
The very conception that some person, even some inanimate thing, might
stand between him and the heart of this fair woman acted upon him like
a stimulant.

The last of the two waltzes ended, they walked slowly through the
scattering throng, he striving vainly to arouse her to the former
independence and intimacy of speech. While endeavoring bravely to
exhibit interest, her mind too clearly wandered, and there was borne in
slowly upon him the distasteful idea that she would prefer being left
alone. Brant had been secretly hoping it might become his privilege to
escort her home, but now he durst not breathe the words of such a
request. Something indefinable had arisen between them which held the
man dumb and nerveless. Suddenly they came face to face with Mrs.
Herndon, and Brant felt the girl's arm twitch.

"I have been looking everywhere for you, Naida," Mrs. Herndon said, a
slight complaint in her voice. "We were going home."

Naida's cheeks reddened painfully.

"I am so sorry if I have kept you waiting," her words spoken with a
rush, "but--but, Lieutenant Brant was intending to accompany me. We
were just starting for the cloak-room."

"Oh, indeed!" Mrs. Herndon's expression was noncommittal, while her
eyes surveyed the lieutenant.

"With your permission, of course," he said.

"I hardly think I have any need to interfere."

They separated, the younger people walking slowly, silently toward the
door. He held her arm, assisting her to descend the stairway, his lips
murmuring a few commonplaces, to which she scarcely returned even
monosyllabic replies, although she frequently flashed shy glances at
his grave face. Both realized that some explanation was forthcoming,
yet neither was quite prepared to force the issue.

"I have no wraps at the hotel," she said, as he attempted to turn that
way. "That was a lie also; let us walk directly down the road."

He indulged in no comment, his eyes perceiving a pathetic pleading in
her upturned face. Suddenly there came to him a belief that the girl
was crying; he could feel the slight tremor of her form against his
own. He glanced furtively at her, only to catch the glitter of a
falling tear. To her evident distress, his heart made instant and
sympathetic response. With all respect in