These thoughts came swiftly, for his period of waiting proved to be but a short one. He heard the laughter and talk as the merry-makers came into the hotel from the dance hall, crowding the passage, and thronging in to where the tables were set. Then a rattle of dishes, and the steady shuffling of waiters rushing back and forth. Occasionally he could distinguish a shadow out in the hall, but never changed his motionless posture, or removed his eyes from the aperture, until she slipped noiselessly through and stood there panting slightly, her hand clasping the knob of the door. Apparently in the semi-darkness of the room she was uncertain of his presence, while her white dress touched by the outside reflection made her clearly visible.
"It is all right, Miss McDonald," he murmured hastily, arising. "There is nothing to fear."
"You are here--alone?"
"Yes," smiling in memory. "There were occupants when I first arrived, but they were persuaded to depart. I had a suspicion you might prefer it that way."
"Yes," puzzled by his manner, yet softly pushing the door back so as to exclude the light. "I can see better now. Are--are you sure no one can overhear? I have something to tell you--something important."
"There is no one else here, yet some one might stumble into this room. It is not private, you know. We shall be safer on the porch outside. Will you take my hand, and let me guide you?"
She did so unhesitatingly, but her fingers were cold, and he could feel the twitching of her nerves.
"You are frightened--not of me, surely?"
"Oh, no!" a slight catch in her voice, "but I am running such a risk venturing here. I--I had to pretend a sick-headache to get away. You must not condemn me until you hear why I came."
"I condemn? Hardly, Miss McDonald. I am merely a soldier receiving orders; 'mine not to question why.' Here is the window; now sit down on this bench. I 'll keep guard, and listen." His voice sank lower, a little touch of tenderness in it impossible to disguise. "Are you in trouble? Is it something I can aid you to overcome?"
She did not answer at once but rested her chin in one hand, and turned her eyes away. Her breath came swiftly, as though she had not yet recovered from fright, and her face in the dim light looked white and drawn.
"Yes, you can," she began slowly, "I am sure you can. I--I came to you because there was no one else in whom I felt the same confidence. I know that sounds strange, but I cannot explain--only it seems natural to trust some people even when you do not know them very well. I do not suppose I know you very well; just those few hours we were together, but--somehow I think you are true."