"I don't know," Mrs. Paxton said.
"Well, I won't do a thing 'til I do know!" said Floretta.
Silly little girl! Always a jealous child, she now thought that Nancy might be another impersonator or imitator, and she was nearly wild.
The orchestra was now playing a dreamy waltz. Nancy's foot tapped the measure. Her eyes were brighter.
"What is she going to do?" whispered Floretta.
The tall man, who had been announcing the numbers, now swung aside the portière, and Nancy slipped from her chair, ran out upon the stage, and then,—oh, the fairy motion of her arms, the lightness with which, on the tips of her toes, she flew across the stage!
With her finger-tips she lifted the hem of her skirt, and courtesied low, then away in a dreamy whirl she sped, turning to look over her shoulder, and laugh at the faces that showed greatest surprise.
On swept the strains of sweetest music, and little Nancy, carried away with love of the music, danced more charmingly than ever before.
Aunt Charlotte and Mrs. Dainty watched her flying figure, and often as they had seen her, they knew that she was excelling herself.
"Nancy, Nancy, dear child!" murmured Aunt Charlotte.