Our Reporter himself takes up the narrative, and relates what followed in his own words. The beautiful widow was overcome by shame at the revelation she had to make, and it was only by considerate and skilful persuasion that our representative was able to elicit from her the full particulars of what she rightly called a dreadful, sinful infatuation.
The ball was a perfect success; there were many beautiful women among the guests, but the most beautiful of all was the hostess herself. A gentleman asked her to dance, and she handed him her card.
“How annoying!” he exclaimed. “You are engaged for every waltz.”
“No,” she replied, “only for two.”
“But look,” said the gentleman.
She glanced at her card, and found that Frederick had placed his name against every one of the six waltzes comprised in the programme.
“The foolish fellow!” she cried, “I promised him two, and he has appropriated six!”
“In that case,” observed the gentleman, “as you are much too precious to be monopolised, I may take the liberty of erasing Mr. Frederick Holdfast’s name from one waltz at least, and writing my own in its place.”
“Yes,” said Mrs. Holdfast, “I will promise you one.”