"Before what?" he said.
She made a motion to turn her face upwards, but, finding his still close, buried it a little deeper. "I—promised the Colonel—I'd be good," she faltered into his shoulder. "I think I ought to begin—soon; don't you?"
"Is that why I am to have only this one dance?" he asked.
"Yes," she admitted.
His caressing hand found and lightly pressed her cheek. "What are you going to do when it's over?" he asked.
"I don't know," she said. "There's Billy. I may dance with him."
He laughed. "That's an exciting programme. Shall I tell you what I should do—if I were in your place?"
"What?" said Dinah.
Again she raised her face a few inches and again, catching a glimpse of the compelling blue eyes, plunged it deeply into his coat.
He laughed again softly, with a hint of mockery. "I should have one dance with Billy, and one with the omnipotent Colonel. And then I should be tired and say good night."