Jasper smiled as he held her hand and regarded her.
'Then you can speak in a joking way ?' 'Do I seem so very dull ?' 'Dull, by no means.

But sage and sober and reticent--and exactly what I like in my friend, because it contrasts with my own habits.

All the better that merriment lies below it.

Goodnight, Miss Yule.' He strode off and in a minute or two turned his head to look at the slight figure passing into darkness.
Marian's hand trembled as she tried to insert her latch-key.

When she had closed the door very quietly behind her she went to the sitting-room; Mrs Yule was just laying aside the sewing on which she had occupied herself throughout the lonely evening.
'I'm rather late,' said the girl, in a voice of subdued joyousness.
'Yes; I was getting a little uneasy, dear.' 'Oh, there's no danger.' 'You have been enjoying yourself, I can see.' 'I have had a pleasant evening.' In the retrospect it seemed the pleasantest she had yet spent with her friends, though she had set out in such a different mood.