The guests began now to arrive; smart, dignified, voluble matrons; smart, expectant girls; slight, serious young civilians, dandling their hats as they came; pretty little officers in uniform, with an air of being very much at home in a ball-room. Romeo brought me a programme, and wrote his name down for the lancers.
Then I stood there rather forlornly while the musicians struck up the first waltz.
At the first notes of the music Andrea left Costanza's side and came towards me.
"He is going to ask me to dance," was my involuntary reflection; "how nice! I am sure he dances well."
"Let me introduce il signor capitano," said Romeo's voice in my ear; and there stood a trim little person in uniform before me, bowing and requesting the honour of the first dance.
"One moment," said Andrea, quietly, as, rather disappointed, I began to move away with my partner; "Miss Meredith, may I see your card?"
I handed him the little bit of gilt pasteboard, virgin, save for his brother's name.
"Will you give me six and ten?"
"Yes."