“I did—a moment ago.”

“Tell me how much.”

“More than any dancing I have ever seen, I think,” his eyes wandering back to the swaying colorous groups of dancers. “It is the perfection of grace—”

“Would you like to see something far, far more beautiful?”

“I fear I should go off my head—”

“Answer my question.”

“I should.”

“You say you respect my moods. I don’t want—I particularly don’t want to kiss you to-night. Will you promise not to kiss me if we should happen to be alone?”

Thorpe set his lips. He dropped her hand. “You are capricious—and unfair,” he said; “I have not seen you alone for two days.”