Her fright and nervousness vanished ; and she began her recitation , her clear , sweet voice reaching to the farthest corner of the room without a tremor or a break . Self-possession was fully restored to her , and in the reaction from that horrible moment of powerlessness she recited as she had never done before . When she finished there were bursts of honest applause . Anne , stepping back to her seat , blushing with shyness and delight , found her hand vigorously clasped and shaken by the stout lady in pink silk . `` My dear , you did splendidly , '' she puffed . `` I 've been crying like a baby , actually I have . There , they 're encoring you -- they 're bound to have you back ! '' `` Oh , I ca n't go , '' said Anne confusedly . `` But yet -- I must , or Matthew will be disappointed . He said they would encore me . '' `` Then do n't disappoint Matthew , '' said the pink lady , laughing . Smiling , blushing , limpid eyed , Anne tripped back and gave a quaint , funny little selection that captivated her audience still further . The rest of the evening was quite a little triumph for her . When the concert was over , the stout , pink lady -- who was the wife of an American millionaire -- took her under her wing , and introduced her to everybody ; and everybody was very nice to her . The professional elocutionist , Mrs. Evans , came and chatted with her , telling her that she had a charming voice and `` interpreted '' her selections beautifully . Even the white-lace girl paid her a languid little compliment . They had supper in the big , beautifully decorated dining room ; Diana and Jane were invited to partake of this , also , since they had come with Anne , but Billy was nowhere to be found , having decamped in mortal fear of some such invitation . He was in waiting for them , with the team , however , when it was all over , and the three girls came merrily out into the calm , white moonshine radiance . Anne breathed deeply , and looked into the clear sky beyond the dark boughs of the firs . Oh , it was good to be out again in the purity and silence of the night !
How great and still and wonderful everything was , XXXXX the murmur of the sea sounding through it and the darkling cliffs beyond like grim giants guarding enchanted coasts .
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