Now that the moment had come for him to meet Eleanor--the moment he had
longed for by day and dreamed of by night,--he found himself overcome
with terrible diffidence. Suppose she did not want to see him again?
Suppose she should be angry at him for coming to her party? Suppose she
should be too taken up with all these strange friends of hers to have
time to dance with him?
After obstructing social traffic in the hall for several moments, he
encountered Miss Enid. She was all a lavender flutter, with sleeves
floating and scarf dangling, and she wore an air of subdued excitement
that made her almost pretty.
"Why, Quinby!" she said, and her eyes swept him. "Have you spoken to
mother yet?"
"No; where is she?"
"In the library. And sister will present you to the young ladies in the
parlor."
She hesitated a moment, then she placed a timid hand on Quin's arm.
"But before you go in would you mind doing something for me? Will you
watch the front door and let me know as soon as Mr. Chester arrives?"
"Mr. Chester?"
"Yes. You see, it's been a great many years since he came to the house,
and I want to--to make sure that he is properly welcomed.
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