Her pulse jumped, starting an even more rapid pace than before. Her china-blue eyes flickered away from the gray orbs which had tried to lock them in place. She fumbled with the peas on her fork, and several dropped off to roll across the table. As she reached out to keep them from falling on the floor, her hand knocked over the juice glass.

As the edge of the glass hit the tabletop, it rolled, and tomato juice splashed out at her just as she jumped to her feet. It made a crimson pattern on the front of her uniform, right at the crotch. Clumsily, aware that she was being stared at by those around her, she dabbed at the puddle on the table with her tiny paper napkin.

It was definitely inadequate, and she now regretted not having used it to blot the worst off her uniform. To get more napkins, she would have to walk through the room past dozens of diners, her embarrassing stain looking for all the world as though she had been caught unaware by a sudden and generous menstrual flow.

She could feel the heat of the blood pounding at her temples, and knew she was blushing furiously. The longer she postponed the humiliating promenade to get napkins or a cleaning rag, the longer she was the target for all the eyes nearby.

Then her downcast eyes saw the neatly pressed creases in the fawn slacks, and as her gaze traveled upward, she knew even before she reached his face who it was that had come swiftly to her table.

The lean, tanned face wore a warm expression of solicitude, and his teeth gleamed in a friendly smile. He had picked up all the napkins available at his table, and now handed them to Palmyra.

"Please sit down," he said, and she wondered why his voice, though gentle enough, seemed to be issuing a command. As she took the napkins and reseated herself, he pulled out the chair across from her and sat down.

"Moisten it with a little water, first," he advised. But again, it sounded like an order, rather than a suggestion. She dipped the corner of a napkin in her water glass and reached under the table to sponge hastily at the embarrassing stain.