One, a young man who had been her escort on several occasions, and whom Mildred liked very much as a friend, inquired particularly for her.
He had come with an invitation to a public ball to be given a week later by a military club of which he was a member, and to ask that he might be her escort thither.
Mildred declined with thanks.
He seemed much disappointed, and pressed for her reasons.
"I have several, Mr. Landreth," she said, coloring slightly, but meeting his eye unflinchingly; "I find that late hours injure my health; that is one; another is that I have been brought up to consider it wrong to attend balls."
"Why more so than going to the theatre?" he asked.
"I do not know that it is."
"Excuse me, but you go there."
"It is true; I have been several times, but that was very wrong in me, and I do not intend to go again," Mildred said, humbly, yet firmly, though the color deepened on her cheek and her voice trembled slightly.
The words had cost her no small effort, but she was glad when they were spoken; it seemed to lift a load from her heart and conscience.