“‘My lord, I have promised Count de Lussan that I will waltz with him, and I cannot break my word.’
“‘Meta, Meta, don’t do it!’ he begged, in a whisper.
“‘I must,’ I answered, coldly.
“‘I command you not!’ he said, in a tone which the count caught, and curled his lip in scorn.
“I bowed coldly, all the antagonism in my nature aroused by his command, then turning to my companion, I said:
“‘The music is inspiriting, count. I am ready,’ and encircling my waist with his arm, he whirled me into the midst of the giddy dancers.
“I had always loved to waltz; but, oh! how I have hated it since then. And this is the reason, dear, why I would never allow you to learn. It is not decent for young girls to be encircled in the arms of men of whom they know nothing.
“As we waltzed I became aware of strange, surprised glances following us; whispered words of censure greeted my ears, and a tremor of uneasiness took possession of me, which merged into absolute terror when I reached the spot where Lord Dunforth still stood.
“He was like a piece of statuary, his noble brow overcast, and his fine lips white and set as if in pain.
“Count de Lussan released me, thanking me for the great pleasure I had given him, and then moved away.