"No. 10," he added anxiously; "a waltz, after the Lancers."
"I see some vague initials," she said; "but probably my partner will not be able to find me, thanks to these shrubs."
"I hope not, with all my heart," said Charles devoutly. "At any rate, I can sit with you until you are claimed."
"As you like," she replied wearily. "Are you not anxious to dance?"
"I am not a great dancer at any time," he protested; "and to-night my heart would be particularly out of it. I came for another purpose."
He spoke tensely, and there was a slight tremor in his voice, ordinarily so clear and dogmatic, which alarmed the girl so that she forgot her weariness and meditated a retreat.
"Oh, so did I," she replied with forced gaiety. "I came to look after my aunt, which reminds me that this is hardly the way to do it. Will you please take me to her?"
"I assure you she does not want you," cried Charles eagerly. "I saw her not ten minutes ago with M. de Loudéac. They seemed to be talking most intimately."
"He is an old friend," said Mary; "but, still, they may have finished by this time. One can say a great deal in ten minutes."
"Ah!" he put in quickly, "only give me them, Miss Masters."