“Will you dance with me?” he asked; and the gay little brunette, seeing a chance to tease the jealous little widow, replied carelessly:
“Oh, dear, no; I’ve almost danced my slippers off already. But I’ll sit out the next waltz with you in the conservatory.”
He gave her his arm, bowed to the other two, and led her away.
“Shocking little flirt!” Mrs. Fleming exclaimed sharply to Daisie.
“Oh, no; she is only tired, I suppose,” generously.
“You are looking tired yourself, my dear, and as pale as if you had seen a ghost. It is wonderful, is it not, that man’s likeness to Dallas Bain?”
“Yes.”
“But we had better not mention it to Royall, poor fellow; for I think he is still jealous of the very memory of Dallas Bain.”
“He need not be!” Daisie cried, with a flash of spirit. “My husband need never be jealous of the man who could stoop to elope with your maid!”
But she knew that her whole soul was shaken to its depths by this rencontre. Oh, those dark, dark eyes, how their glance could wound and dazzle still! How that smile could thrill her very soul!