The Choir Invisible

Once afterward Gray's glance fell on Amy and Joseph across the room. They

were looking at him and laughing at his expense and the sight burnt his eyes

as though hot needles had been run into them. They beckoned gaily, but he

gave no sign; and in a moment they were lost behind the shifting figures of

the company. While he was dancing, however, Joseph came up.

"As soon as you get away, Amy wants to see you."

Half and hour later he came a second time and drew Gray aside from a group

of gentlemen, speaking more seriously: "Amy wants to explain how all this

happened. Come at once."

"There is nothing to explain," said John, with indifference.

Joseph answered reproachfully:

"This is foolish, John! When you know what has passed, you will not censure

her. And I could not have done otherwise." Despite his wish to be serious,

he could not help laughing for he was very happy himself.

But to John Gray these reasonable words went for the very thing that they

did not mean. His mind had been forced to a false point of view; and from a

false point of view the truth itself always looks false. Moreover it was

intolerable that Joseph should be defending to him the very woman whom a few

hours before he had hoped to marry.

"There is no explanation needed from her," he replied, with the same

indifference. "I think I understand. What I do not understand I should

rather take for granted. But you, Joseph, you owe me an explanation. This

is not the place to give it." His face twitched, and he knotted the fingers

of his large hands together like bands of iron. "But by God I'll have it;

and if it is not a good one, you shall answer." His oath sounded like an

invocation to the Divine justice--not profanity.

Joseph fixed his quiet fearless eyes on Gray's. "I'll answer for myself--and

for her"--he replied and turned away.

Still later Gray met her while dancing--the faint rose of her cheeks a shade

deeper, the dazzling whiteness of her skin more pearl-like with warmth, her

gaiety and happiness still mounting, her eyes still wandering among the men,

culling their admiration.

"You haven't asked me to dance to-night. You haven't even let me tell you

why I had to come with Joseph, when I wanted to come with you." She gave a

little pout of annoyance and let her eyes rest on his with the old fondness.

"Don't you want to know why I broke my engagement with you?" And she danced

on, smiling back at him provokingly.

He did not show that he heard; and although they did not meet again, he was

made aware that a change had at last come over her. She was angry now. He

could hear her laughter oftener--laughter that was meant for his ear and she

was dancing oftener with Joseph. He looked at her repeatedly, but she

avoided his eyes.