"Ho, ho!" Sir Edward laughed, "what have you to say now, my lady?"
"That he is most impertinent."
"Granted," returned Maynadier. "What else?"
"Nothing, now," came over her shoulder; "I shall consider the penalty."
"What did she mean by 'the penalty'?" Judith asked, when they were out of hearing.
"I have not the slightest notion," said he.
"Has she caught you, too,—I mean, have you joined the others in dancing attendance on her?"
"Not to my knowledge," he smiled—"and, I am sure, not to hers."
"Well, you are about the only one who has escaped—you and George. And George is too busy with every one to specialize—just yet."
"Give him his head," said Maynadier; "he will settle into his stride, some day."