"I ... I can't say that I ever saw the gentleman before," he stammered, mightily bewildered. Then all at once his face grew red with anger. He even balled his fists. "Has he dared—"
"No, no! I only wished to know if you knew him. Since you do not there is nothing more to be done about it."
"But if he has insulted—"
"Sh! That's not a nice word to hear in a conservatory," she warned.
"But I do not understand."
"It is not necessary. If you do not take me instantly to the ball-room you will lose the best part of the dance."
She rose, and then I saw two little blue slippers peeping out from under the silken skirts.
"You might have told me," I said reproachfully. "And now I do not believe any other Cinderella will do. Young man," said I, holding out the slipper for his inspection, "I was just paying this lady the very great compliment of thinking that this might be her shoe."
"And it isn't," she returned. "Now, in honor to yourself, what is my name?"
"You are Nancy Marsden."