'To Augustus P.,' was the immediate reply.
I smothered my rising indignation the best I could, and proudly returned the smile of malignant joy my rival gave me.
'Perhaps I can engage it for a second set,' I calmly replied.
'Mr. P. has engaged it for the entire evening,' she pettishly replied, and rising and taking his hand they took their station upon the floor.
I remained thunderstruck and rooted to the spot, until I saw the eyes of my hated rival fixed upon me, and, throwing off the spell that bound me, I assumed a proud, cold look. As I swept by the dancers, Eveline paused for a moment when just beside me, and, bending close to her ear, I whispered, 'Eveline, farewell forever.'
She turned slightly pale, and asked, 'when?'
'To-night, I join the army for Mexico,' I firmly replied.
A deep flush passed haughtily across her brow, and then waving her hand gracefully, she replied, 'Go,' and glided through the mazes of the dance.
I rushed from the spot, and never paused until I had entered the recruiting office, and offered myself a candidate for the army.
'Are you a good, moral man, of well-regulated habits?' asked the sergeant.