[CHAPTER VII.]
Jaquelina saw that the young student looked surprised.
"You have danced with Walter Earle twice already," he said. "Do you not know that it is not considered en regle to dance more than twice with the same partner?"
She looked at him, puzzled, for an instant. Then the long lashes drooped, and the ready color flashed into her cheek as she answered.
"I do not think I understand what en regle means, Mr. Valchester."
"I beg your pardon for using a French phrase," said Ronald Valchester, uncertain whether she was in earnest or meant to rebuke him. "I am aware that the habit is considered an affectation, but one falls into these things so naturally at college, you know, Miss Meredith."
But he did not attempt to explain it to her. It had vaguely occurred to him that she was teasing him, and he relapsed at once into his grave dignity.
But the next instant he saw that he had been mistaken. She raised her clear, dark eyes to his face, and said, gratefully: