"It is very interesting to know that you two met in so unconventional a
way," she ventured, softly, "and so sly of her not even to mention it
to me. We are room-mates, you know, and consequently quite intimate,
although she possesses many peculiar characteristics which I cannot in
the least approve. But after all, Naida is really a good-hearted girl
enough, and she will probably outgrow her present irregular ways, for,
indeed, she is scarcely more than a child. I shall certainly do my
best to guide her aright. Would you mind giving me some details of
your meeting?"
For a moment he hesitated, feeling that if the girl had not seen fit to
confide her adventure to this particular friend, it was hardly his
place to do so. Then, remembering that he had already said enough to
arouse curiosity, which might easily be developed into suspicion, he
determined his course. In a few words the brief story was frankly
told, and apparently proved quite amusing to Miss Spencer.
"Oh, that was Naida, beyond a doubt," she exclaimed, with a laugh of
satisfaction. "It is all so characteristic of her. I only wonder how
she chanced to guess your name; but really the girl appears to possess
some peculiar gift in thus discerning facts hidden from others. Her
instincts seem so finely developed that at times she reminds me of a
wild animal."
This caustic inference did not please him, but he said nothing, and the
music coming to a pause, they slowly traversed the room.
"I presume, then, she is not present?" he said, quietly.
Miss Spencer glanced into his face, the grave tone making her
apprehensive that she might have gone too far.
"She was here earlier in the evening, but now that you remind me of it,
I do not recall having noticed her of late. But, really, Lieutenant,
it is no part of my duty to chaperon the young girl. Mrs. Herndon
could probably inform you of her present whereabouts."
Miss Spencer was conscious of the sting of failure, and her face
flushed with vexation. "It is extremely close in here, don't you
think?" she complained. "And I was so careless as to mislay my fan. I
feel almost suffocated."
"Did you leave it at home?" he questioned. "Possibly I might discover
a substitute somewhere in the room."
"Oh, no; I would never think of troubling you to such an extent. No
doubt this feeling of lassitude will pass away shortly. It was very
foolish of me, but I left the fan with my wraps at the hotel. It can
be recovered when we go across to supper."