"I'm sorry I have to dance with some one else and it's Lois Reade. Adams would like to kick me, I know, and she would be twice as happy with him. That is the price you pay for assisting your brother into matrimony. Next time there shall not be but one bridesmaid, and I'll dance with her all the evening."
"Next time? Will he be married twice?" she asked demurely.
"Oh, you witch! You are the most delicious dancer—it almost seems as if you were sipping some very fine wine——"
"And it went to your head," she laughed.
"Head and heels both. I'm extravagantly fond of it with a partner like you. You'll go to the assemblies this winter?"
"Oh, I don't know."
"Is Mr. Leverett very—he's your guardian, and somehow I stand just a little in awe of him. He is so polished, and knows so much, and is he going to be very exclusive?"
"Why——" She didn't quite understand, but she looked out of such lovely eyes that all his pulses throbbed.
"Take your places."
She was standing there alone when Mr. Adams asked her. That was only fair play. Mr. Saltonstall was in the same set and he gave her hand a squeeze when he took her, crumpled it all up in his, and she flushed daintily.