Both schools had now settled down to the routine of book life for the winter when announcement at the college and at Miss Gregory's school told of the reception to the President of the college, an annual affair to which the girls of the school were usually invited.
This first social function of the year for the college was usually a bore to most of the professors and the students alike. While informal, there were so many strangers among the Freshmen and guests, there was little chance for making acquaintances. Those who attended, in the large reception room of the common dining hall, appropriately draped for the event, sought little groups here and there to renew acquaintance or to be introduced to newer corners.
Except for the professors and teachers who came from year to year and the older of the students the entire affair was dull. Some of the younger classmen tried to dance after being presented to partners, others sat off in corners talking light conversational chatter. Bennet was just being bored with the affair and preparing to greet the President then leave when he thought, "Ah, she might come. She's new and some of the girls may bring her. Perhaps I'd better wait."
He was about to pass into an adjoining room to seek a corner from which he could watch the door when he was halted by a call from Dean Ira Sandager.
"Here, just a moment, Bennet," he beckoned. Bennet turned to the speaker who stood in a small group and walked over to Dean Sandager. The latter taking the young man by the arm drew him into the group beside him, smiling. "You've met my friends?" Dean Sandager asked bowing toward those standing with him. Bennet smiled as a young man and two young women greeted him with outstretched hand, at the same time exclaiming, "hello, Bennet" the girls merely nodded.
"Oh, yes, we've met," Bennet laughingly shook hands.
One of the young women of the group stood partially facing another group with whom she was speaking. She heard the voice of the newcomer and instinctively turned.
As she did so her eyes met those of Bennet. Both were unguarded in their meeting. A vivid crimson colored Lida Lauriston's face for an instant then she blanched as her eyes drooped. Bennet almost gasped in his surprise, the smile waning on his face. There was an awkward stillness for a moment. One of the young ladies in the group, however, turned to Bennet, with:
"Miss Lauriston, I don't believe you've met Mr. Bennet. Miss Lauriston, Mr. Bennet."
Bennet's head was in a whirl. Embarrassment overcame him. He stammered and struggled to master himself. He wanted to extend his hand but resisted. Lida was flustered herself at the surprise of the meeting so suddenly with the man over whom she had often dreamed. The situation was fast becoming awkward when the young woman who spoke first added:
"Miss Lauriston is new here. I'm sure you've never met.—She's here at Miss Gregory's for the first year." Bennet inwardly thanked the speaker for the words. It gave him opportunity to recover somewhat. Lida was still silent.
"He's one of our heroes, Miss Lauriston," Dean Sandager offered. "One of our athletes."
"Oh!" was all she could gasp before Dean Sandager continued. "He's off the team this year, because of accident. Got mixed up in that mob of strikers and got hurt.—You remember seeing the stories in the papers. They say he rescued some girls, too.—Never got the straight of it.—Bennet never would talk of it and the papers never identified him or the girls."
He was resting his hand fondly on Bennet's shoulder as he spoke. The latter was embarrassed to perspiration. Lida was too overcome to say anything of what she might and as conversation lagged, Dean Sandager turned to Bennet, with, "Get the ladies some refreshments, Bennet."
Glad of an excuse Bennet turned and was off to do the errand after learning the desires of those in the group. Lida looked after the retreating form of Bennet as he passed behind a grouping of fernery and palms into the refreshment room. On returning all sought seats about the room. Neither Lida nor Bennet was aware of the manner in which they became paired as they thought of the event afterward, but when they started for the side of the room they found themselves together.
Bennet's heart was pounding a tattoo against his coat. He looked helplessly at those ahead of him. Lida too was still embarrassed. There were not seats enough for them all together, Lida and Bennet being in the rear were left without.
"You'll have to find seats, Bennet," said Dean Sandager waving a hand. "—Not room here."
"All right, Sir," he answered; then turned toward one of the adjoining rooms. As they started to enter, Lida still embarrassed and feeling that her emotions would be disclosed under the light, exclaimed:
"Oh, let's don't sit here. Let's walk. I can eat my salad walking. I'll feel better.—Let's don't eat.—I don't want to eat."
Bennet was of the same mind and taking the plate she offered placed them on a table while they continued through the rooms to one unoccupied. Neither of them spoke, each glad to be with the other yet afraid to trust to their feelings. Bennet remembering the moonlight scene hesitated, not wishing to remind the girl of the circumstances under which they had met, if she had forgotten and she, remaining silent lest she say too much. She felt, however, that she must thank him. She realized that it was for her to express thanks for the rescue, if the subject was to be mentioned at all. They walked on like two bashful children. At last Lida determined. With a deep intake of breath she began.
"Mr. Bennet!" She paused to control her emotions, all the little speeches she had planned and rehearsed were forgotten as wave after wave of blushes suffused her face. Bennet waited, himself as little under control as she, happy to be with the girl of whom he had been dreaming constantly and yet dumb for her very presence. At last Lida continued.
"Mr. Bennet—I have long wanted to know you and to thank you for the service done me that day."
Bennet longed to take her tenderly in his arms, he had so often pictured the hope of such a right. He mastered the desire, however, remembering that he had sworn not to let her know he had overheard her vow that moonlight fall night. He waved a hand as if to pass the incident off lightly with: "Oh, it was a pleasure to serve you. I am glad I could help."
"You not only helped, you saved my life.—I can never hope to thank you sufficiently" she said fervently.
"You need not thank me. I would do it over again tonight and willingly." His voice vibrated like the basso of some stringed instrument.
"That's noble of you. And I'll never forget it." Her voice was sincerity itself.
"I don't think I'd say never, Miss Lauriston. Never, you know, is a long while—and sometimes, under stress we say things we soon forget—or may wish to forget."
"But I know myself. Besides your bravery was noble indeed and I'd be mean to forget it. I couldn't, Mr. Bennet—I couldn't. I only regret I have no way of showing you how much your noble action means to me."
"There is a way, Miss Lauriston—a real way—a way I'd appreciate to my dying day."
"You've only to make it known. When I think of the way you struggled to save us; of the mad mob that was about us, and of your wound—Oh, it was cruel—cruel—cruel—and to think you did it for two unknown girls."
"Not for two, Miss Lauriston, but for one—for you." This was said in such a solemn tone that the girl, who had been looking off across the wide quadrangle of the campus turned quickly to him. There was a's adness in the tone that was convincing. The emotions that surged in both were two strong for utterance. For reply Lida touched his arm with the gentleness of a zephyr. For some reason Bennet was seized with a feeling of deep depression, as the arm still rested on his sleeve he said:
"There is one way in which you might please me, Miss Lauriston, and that is by permitting us to know real friendship. I hope I don't ask too much."
"Why, I already look on you as my friend and you always will be my friend. I could not be anything less."
"Friendship means something deeper to me than the word ordinarily means. Once a friend, always a friend, with me. Friendship means understanding, sympathy, interpretation of moods, generosity of spirit."
"It means all that and more to me also. Effort to impart happiness; a sharing of sunshine and clouds of life, loyalty. Those are some of my ideas of friendship and when I say you have my friendship and always will have it those are no idle words."
With the words they clasped hands. There was suddenly and unconsciously an upturning of her face toward his which looked down toward her. His arms stole about her and her head drooped in his simplicity of frankness, to his breast while he whispered:
"Heart of Mine, I love you—I love you—I love you and always will. That is the friendship I want. I always have since first I saw you and I always will. It is not friendship I want—I want love—I want you. I want you as I have wanted nothing else in life." His voice trembled with deep emotion which overmastered him.
Lida remained motionless for a few moments filled with happiness and the consciousness that her love was returned while tears filled her eyes. Suddenly she said:
"Mr. Bennet, I am a simple girl. I have not been long out in the world. I don't know the ways of the world. What I said I mean. I have been told that men talk lightly and seldom mean what they say when they talk of love. Your words make me supremely happy for my heart has been yours. Please don't deceive me. I love you as only an honest true-hearted girl can love and I trust you. I hope my trust is not vain." This was said so earnestly and honestly Bennet was breathlessly pained. "I suppose it is brazen to be telling you this so frankly but I was brought up to be truthful and natural. You asked for my friendship. It is yours—my heart is yours—I trust you. If you deceive me I shall die. I know so little of the world and its ways. If you don't really love me, please don't deceive me. Take back your words and though I'll never forget them and will love you for them, I'll forgive you and we'll part friends."
As she concluded she looked up at Bennet's face which was still turned to hers. There was infinite tenderness written there. Tenderness that was so strong as to make Lida regret her words. He pressed her head back to where it rested on his breast while he said:
"I know men, these days, speak lightly of love and pledge themselves without meaning to be serious. I am not of that kind. As I honor my mother so I mean my love to be true; so it shall be true. As we live and breathe my heart is yours and always will be. My Love, I love you. Let me whisper it again, I love you and ever will."
"If you really love me" the honesty of her heart in her words, "then night is day to me. There is no world but this in which we live, you and I. Nothing shall come between us. Nothing can come between us. Where you go my heart will be; where you are my dreams will attend you."
"Ah, Love of Mine," Bennet breathed, "those words are sweet. Sweetest I have heard since years ago when my mother used to sing us as children to sleep."
Lida drew a deep intake of breath. "Speaking of mothers" she said, "I have a token I would like to have you wear as emblem of our love and in memory of this night."
"I need no other emblem than your love, Girl of Mine" Bennet whispered.
"Oh, but, Truman—"
"Say that again, please," Bennet interrupted "it sounded so charming coming from your lips."
"It's my mother's ring, Truman, and I'd like to have you wear it. Just for me."
"I also have my mother's wedding ring. I hope you'll keep it for me and may it guard you as it has me." She touched it to her lips as she answered: "I shall love it—and treasure it."
Lida and Bennet had forgotten time and were only recalled to their senses when Louise Comstock came into the room and exclaimed:
"Oh, Lida, I have found you at last. I've been looking everywhere for you." When she recognized Bennet as Lida's escort a spasm of pain and smiles in combination passed over her face and she turned suddenly back into the great reception room. "Oh!" was the only word she uttered. When next noted by any of her friends she was bidding them good-bye, her wraps about her and her escort waiting.