"The festivities are but just beginning." But Piers was insistent, and even Jeanie's wistful eyes could not detain him.

He waved her a careless farewell, and extricated himself as quickly as possible from surroundings that had become uncongenial.
Descending the stairs somewhat precipitately, he nearly ran into Avery ascending with a troop of children, and stopped to say good-bye.
"You're not going!" cried Gracie, with keen disappointment.
"Yes, I am.

I can't stop.

It's later than I thought.

See you to-morrow!" said Piers.
He held Avery's hand again in his, and for one fleeting second his eyes looked into hers.