Page:Elizabeth Jordan--Tales of the city room.djvu/84

 could see the twinkling lights of Broadway. She turned from them to meet his eyes fixed upon her with a yet pleasanter twinkle. They had been talking so freely and light-heartedly that both had temporarily forgotten the strangeness of their position. It came to them after this little lull and there was a moment of embarrassment. He recovered himself first, and, over the ices, gave her a quiet imitation of an English celebrity which delighted her by its fidelity to life. But as she looked and listened the woman's mind was busy. She must get away from him now—how, she did not know, but somehow, and almost at once. The coffee had been ordered. She drank it, declining the liqueur which came with it, and as he sipped his and chatted on, her plan of action outlined itself in her mind.

If only she had met him in any other way she would have been glad to know him better. But she was resolved not to continue an acquaintance whose warrant had lapsed. He had been charming. He had given her a most excellent dinner, and his manner had been that of a gentleman and a friend.