the crowd closed about them someone was pouring champagne into stella 's mouth , and she was draping herself over the boy , as it were , and the music was starting up again other couples - all quite modern and very gay began to dance 'this was no time to approach her , i reasoned it was only ten past eight , and i wanted to take a few moments to look about also i was for the moment entirely disarmed by her appearance a great blank had been filled in i felt certain she had not harmed stuart and so , hearing her laughter ringing over the fresh onslaught of the band , i resumed my journey towards the hall doors .