Presently the young Squire came down and asked Mrs. Armitage to open the ball with him.
"You do me great honor, sir," she said. She hesitated, then placed her hand on his arm.
As he led her away, his eyes met those of Hetty.
"I'll give you a dance later on," he said, nodding carelessly to the young girl.
She blushed and pressed her hand to her heart.
There wasn't a village lad in the entire assembly who would not have given a year of his life to dance even once with beautiful little Hetty, but she declined all the village boys' attentions that evening.
"She wasn't in the humor to dance," she said. "Oh, yes, of course, she would dance with the Squire if he asked her, but she would not bestow her favors upon any one else." She sat down presently in a secluded corner. Her eyes followed Awdrey wherever he went. By and by Margaret Douglas noticed her. There was something about the childish sad face which drew out the compassion of Margaret's large heart. She went quickly across the lawn to speak to her.
"Good-evening, Hetty," she said, "I hope you are well?"
Hetty stood up; she began to tremble.
"Yes, Miss Douglas, I am quite well," she answered.