Part 2 What Occurred in Glencaid Chapter 6 The Lieutenant Meets Miss Spencer

The missionary, who had yet scarcely recovered from the shock of
Moffat's impulsive speech, and who, in truth, had been hiding an
agonized heart behind a smiling face, was only too delighted at any
excuse which would enable him to approach Miss Spencer, and press aside
those cavaliers who were monopolizing her attention. The handicap of
not being able to dance he felt to be heavy, and he greeted the
lieutenant with unusual heartiness of manner.

"Why, most assuredly, my dear sir, most assuredly," he said. "Mrs.
Herndon, permit me to make you acquainted with Lieutenant Brant, of the
Seventh Cavalry."

The two, thus introduced, bowed, and exchanged a few words, while Mr.
Wynkoop busied himself in peering about the room, making a great
pretence at searching out the lady guest, who, in very truth, had
scarcely been absent from his sight during the entire evening.

"Ah!" he ejaculated, "at last I locate her, and, fortunately, at this
moment she is not upon the floor, although positively hidden by the men
clustering about her chair. You will excuse us, Mrs. Herndon, but I
have promised Lieutenant Brant a presentation to your niece."

They slipped past the musicians' stand, and the missionary pressed in
through the ring of admirers.

"Why, Mr. Wynkoop!" and she extended both hands impulsively. "And only
to think, you have never once been near me all this evening; you have
not congratulated me on my good fortune, nor exhibited the slightest
interest! You don't know how much I have missed you. I was just
saying to Mr. Moffat--or it might have been Mr. McNeil--that I was
completely tired out and wished you were here to sit out this dance
with me."