Thereupon, after a brief but serious conference with the manager, Tinker departed, again followed by a waiter with a tray.

Elsie had not looked for his return for a long while; and she was indeed pleased to be so soon freed from the struggle against her timidity.
They ate their dinner with great cheerfulness and good appetite, and for an hour after it they chattered away happily.

Then Elsie grew drowsy, very drowsy, indeed, and presently, nestled against Tinker, she fell asleep.

Fortunately, the southern night was warm, and, in the fur-lined ulster, she could take no harm.

He sat holding her to him, listening to her breathing, looking out over the sea, and revolving many memories and more schemes, till, at last, the lights began to dance before his eyes, and he, too, fell asleep.
He knew no more until he was awakened by someone shaking his arm, and found his father and Lord Crosland standing over them.
The lamps of the Casino and the gardens were out; only the dim starlight lighted the scene.