The atmosphere of
the place, the atmosphere of the last few hours, found its way
again into her blood. After all, she was young, the music was
sweet, her pulses were throbbing to the tune of this new life.
She drank her wine and laughed, her head beating time to the
music.
"We have been sad long enough," she declared. "You and I, my
dear serious brother, will embark in earnest now upon the paths
of frivolity. Tell me, how did things go to-day?"
It flashed into his mind that he had great news, but that it was
not for her. About that matter there was still doubt in his
mind, but he could not speak of it.
"I have had an offer," he said guardedly. "I cannot say much
about it at present, for nothing is certain, but I am sure that I
shall be able to raise the money somehow."
His tone was calm and confident. There was no self-assurance or
bluster about it, and yet it was convincing. She looked at him
curiously.
"You are a very positive person, Leonard," she remarked. "You
must have great faith in yourself, I think."
He considered the question for a moment.
"Perhaps I have," he admitted. "I do not think that there is any
other way to succeed."
The atmosphere of the place was becoming now almost languorous.
The band had ceased to play; little parties of men and women were
standing about, bidding one another goodnight. The lamps had
been lowered, and in the gloom the voices and laughter seemed to
have become lower and more insinuating; the lights in the eyes of
the women, as they passed down the room on their way out, softer
and more irresistible.
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