"You need not, my dear, for I have savings enough for us both, and you are welcome to your share," said the good soul, kindly.
"I shall not touch a penny. I shall sell pictures enough to buy my dresses," said Leonora, with a confident air.
"They will have to be very good ones, dear," dubiously.
"I shall try to make them so," laughing.
At that moment a burst of music swelled upon the air—one of Strauss's most intoxicating waltzes. Leonora's heart thrilled to the sound.
"How delicious!" she cried.
"It is the band. The dance has begun," cried Mrs. West. "Come, Leonora, you shall have a peep at it."
"Not from the shelter of another hot china-closet, I hope," said the girl, laughing. "I am afraid of the cobwebs and the spiders."
"We will find a better place this time. Put something over your head, Leonora; we shall have to go out-doors, and the dew is heavy."