Page:Despotism and democracy; a study in Washington society and politics (IA despotismdemocra00seawiala).pdf/57

 when he enfolded her in the cloak she was enfolded for one thrilling, perilous instant in his arms. Another moment and she would be at his mercy. Constance, knowing this, and suddenly remembering the maid waiting for her, and possibly belated neighbours looking out of their windows, withdrew a little. This restored Thorndyke's vagrant senses, and after a moment or two he said:

"It does not seem—now—so long since we parted."

"It is very long; it is nearly eighteen years," Constance replied. Her voice was the sweet voice of the far South, for her young eyes had first opened upon the blue waters of another lake than Como—Lake Pontchartrain. In her speech there were continual traces of her Louisiana birth—Thorndyke had ever thought her voice and her little mannerisms of language among her greatest charms—and he was confirmed in his belief at the first word she uttered. He said to her:

"I did not know until yesterday that you were in Washington."

"I did not like to send you a card," Constance replied.