“It was an accident, old fellow—I swear it was! Don’t think I tried to make you lose the race! No one could induce me to do that, no matter how much they begged me to, Frank! You do not think I did it purposely, do you?”
“No,” said Frank, “I do not think so, Bart.”
“I am glad!” whispered Hodge, thankfully.
Soon the tournament was over, and Santa Barbara was well satisfied, having carried off her share of the honors.
That night there was another hop at the most fashionable hotel of the town.
Frank appeared rather late, and from a place where he could not be seen himself, he watched the dancers.
He was surprised to discover that Inza was not dancing, although she was present. As he watched he saw her refuse several who asked her to dance.
Lord Stanford was given the cold shoulder in a very decisive manner, but there were numberless other girls who were more than glad to dance with him.
He entered the room intending to grasp an opportunity to speak with her.
The moment he appeared Inza retreated toward the other end of the room. He followed hastily, and, catching up with her, said: