'O Mr. Underwood, what a shocking pun!' and she was led off sparkling with pretty laughter; while the Conjuror, muttering,
'The gouty oak began to move
And flounder into hornpipes,'
turned graciously on little Susie Vincent, and scared as much as he elevated her, by claiming her as his partner.
Will Harewood, dashing across the room, and looking earnestly with his bold and now flushed face up to Wilmet, blurted out, 'Miss Underwood, now please, let me dance with you.'
'Thank you,' she said graciously; 'but I believe I must play for them.'
'I'll do that,' said Clement, over her head.
'The Dead March in Saul?' murmured Edgar.
'Nonsense!' broke out Mrs. Vincent, starting up; 'what am I good for but to play?'
So Clement, who thought he had found an escape, was reduced to the necessity of asking the other little Vincent; and Wilmet's smile of consent so elated Bill Harewood, that he could not help flying across to that very happy and well-matched pair, the Elderly Princess and First Robber, to tell them, 'I've got her.'
'Who?'