k a Scene?

Arethusa caught a glimpse of him in his uncertain regard of her, as he
stood near the ball-room entrance, and off she flew like the wind in the
direction she judged the stairs to be, luckily finding them right
there; for she could not risk the waiting for the elevator to come up
and get her. He should not be given the slightest opportunity to speak
to her again!

She plunged madly down one long flight of wide steps, broken by several
landings, to find herself in the wide old lobby, where the startled
night clerk was aroused from his dozing, for this ancient inn was far
from lively at this hour of the night especially in this part of it, by
her sudden entrance; and he went to hunt for Clay at her breathless
request. Very fortunately, for Arethusa's impulsive departing, he had
not driven off anywhere, but was easily located by the obliging clerk
among a small group of chauffeurs who were lounging in the barber shop;
while Arethusa waited impatiently in the lobby, casting fearful glances
in the direction of first the stairs and then the elevator, fully
expectant of seeing Mr. Bennet appear from either direction. Clay was
slightly mystified at this sudden summons, so early in the evening, but
like a good chauffeur and the friend of Arethusa's which he so truly
was, he asked no questions; and unfastened the back door for her,
having driven in the back way without a word of comment. Arethusa knew
that Ross and Elinor would still be up at this early hour, within
hearing of the opening of the front door, and she wanted to slip into
the house without their knowledge. She was quite sure that their
interrogations would fall fast and furious; a natural curiosity which
would have to be gratified as to the Reason for this unexpectedly early
return from the Real Event of the Season.

It was a Silent and Miserable Maiden who thus went home so prematurely
from what was to have been the most Marvelous Affair ever attended,
huddled back into one corner of the limousine; and it was a still more
Silent and Miserable Maiden who crept softly up the back stairs and
sought her room, where she undressed entirely in the dark and climbed
immediately into bed.

And the grey hours of the dawning found her still wakeful under the
same green silk coverlid beneath which she had slept so many, many
nights with Happy Dreaming of the Wonderful Mr. Bennet and his very
great Charm.

CHAPTER XXIII

This was the very first night in