Jack stared at the girl in silence for some moments, and then he said:
“She is out of place here.”
“She seems to be enjoying it.”
“That is what surprises me,” confessed the Virginian; “for I am positive that that girl is far above her surroundings. Why, she is positively handsome!”
“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Frank. “Now you are growing enthusiastic. That’s more than I expected of you.”
“But I know the girl is out of her element. She is young, too. She is innocent! Her face shows that. It’s a shame!”
Merriwell laughed again, but Diamond scowled and watched the girl, who interested him in a wonderful manner. After a little the Virginian shook himself angrily and looked away.
“Nothing but a country girl,” he thought. “I mustn’t let myself become interested in her.”
The dance came to a sudden termination. Some of the “gentlemen” escorted their partners from the floor, and some left them on the spot. Those who were left did not seem to mind it.
The big red-shirted man with the pretty girl walked with her to a seat and sat down beside her. By chance they were close to Diamond, and Jack heard him say: