'O, Harry,' said Ethel, 'you are the most really like papa of us all! How did you come to think of it!'
'I'd have given a good deal if any one would have walked quarter-deck with me some nights last summer,' said Harry, still intent on the glove. 'What is to be done, Ethel! that rogue Tom always snaps up all the beauty. I dare say he has engaged Miss Ward and the widow both.'
It was no time for sentiment; so Ethel suggested getting half into one glove, and carrying the other.
'You'll be quite irresistible enough, Harry! And if all the beauty is engaged, I'll dance with you myself.'
'Will you?' cried the lieutenant, with sparkling eyes, 'then you are a jolly old Ethel! Come along, then;' and he took her on his arm, ran down-stairs with her, and before she well knew where she was, or what was going on, she found herself in his great grasp passive as a doll, dragged off into the midst of a vehement polka that took her breath away. She trusted to him, and remained in a passive, half-frightened state, glad he was so happy; but in the first pause heartily wishing he would let her go, instead of which she only heard, 'Well done, old Ethel, you'll be a prime dancer yet! you're as light as a feather;' and before she had recovered her breath, off he led her with 'Go it again!'
When at length, panting and bewildered, she was safely placed on a seat, with 'You've had enough, have you? mind, I shan't let you off another time,' she found that her aberration had excited a good deal of sensation in her own family. Blanche and Gertrude could not repress their amusement; and Dr. May, with merry eyes, declared that she was coming out in a new light. She had only time to confide to him the reason that she had let Harry do what he pleased with her, before two volunteers were at her side.
'Miss May, I did not think you ever danced!'
'Nor I,' said Ethel; 'but you see what sailors can do with one.'
'Now, Ethel' said the other over his shoulder, 'now you have danced with Harry, you must have this waltz with me.'
'A dangerous precedent, Ethel,' said the Doctor, laughing.