It dominated all who
heard it.
As he again slowly approached the table where Miss Warriner was
seated, the eyes of everyone were turned upon him; the pathos, the
tenderness of his message seemed to speak to each; the fact that he
dared to offer such a wealth of deep feeling to such an audience was
in itself enough to engage the attention of all. A group of
Guardsmen, their faces flushed with Burgundy and pulling heavily on
black cigars, stared at him sleepily, and then sat up, erect and
alert, watching him with intent, wide-open eyes; and at tables which
had been marked by the laughter of those seated about them there fell
a sudden silence. Those who fully understood the value of the music
withdrew into themselves, submitting, thankfully, to its spell;
others, less susceptible, gathered from the bearing of those about
them that something of moment was going forward; but it was
recognized by each, from the most severe English matron present down
to the youngest "omnibus-boy" among the waiters, that it was a love-
story which was being told to them, and that in this public place the
deepest, most sacred, and most beautiful of emotions were finding
noble utterance.
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