She held out her hand.
“Good evening, Mr. Ralston! Everybody seems to be here to-night.”
“Of course,––isn’t this your night?” Phil ventured.
She beckoned him to sit down by her side.
“It isn’t my night,” she answered; “it is my daddy’s.”
“You must be very happy at his wonderful victory.”
“Yes,––I am very happy, just for father’s sake, he was so set on it toward the finish. He is just like a boy who has won a hard race. And now he is being buttonholed by everybody. I shall never have him all to myself any more.”
The dancers were already on the floor and gliding away.
“May I have this dance?” asked Phil.
“With pleasure!” she answered. And his heart raced on again, in overwhelming delight. “But first, let us sit just for a moment or so.