“Ef yer dance with Bill ter-night, Jennie, thar’ll be trouble. I don’ stan’ ter see that feller shinin’ up ter you.”
The girl gave her head a toss.
“I do not think you have a right to say whom I shall dance with,” she retorted, and the Virginian was surprised to discover that her voice was not harsh, but was soft and musical, in keeping with her pretty face.
The man showed anger.
“I come fifteen mile ter be here at this dance,” he muttered, fiercely; “fer I knew you’d be here, and I knew he’d be here. You know what I’ve done, an’ your dad says we’ll be married in the fall. Now, I want yer ter keep away from Bill. Ef ye don’t, it’ll be ther worse fer Bill. That’s all.”
Then he got up and walked away.
Jack’s hot blood was beginning to boil, for he was not accustomed to hearing a man talk to a lady in such a manner, and it stirred the chivalry of his nature. He felt like offering the girl his protection, but he had not been introduced to her.
“Next dance is a plain quadrille,” called the fiddler.
Then there was a rush for partners, who were dragged upon the floor in a most unceremonious manner.