It was instinctive for him to smile in the face of danger, and he smiled now, without speaking.

The girl laughed softly.

She gave his arm a gentle tug, and he found himself moving past Rossland, amazed but obedient, her eyes looking at him in a way that sent a gentle thrill through him.
At the head of the wide stair she whispered, with her lips close to his shoulder: "You are splendid! I thank you, Mr.Holt." Her words, along with the decisive relaxing of her hand upon his arm, were like a dash of cold water in his face.

Rossland could no longer see them, unless he had followed.

The girl had played her part, and a second time he had accepted the role of a slow-witted fool.