trooped thither from the salle-à-manger was like a host of tropical flowers. The t

rly unlike though they were, yet in this respect it was not difficult to trace their brotherhood. Though moulded upon lines so completely dissimilar, they bore the same indelible stamp-the stamp of good birth which can never be attained by such as have it not. Sir Eustace

ott, with a smile. "T

scended in an answering smile. "She is the only woman I

sant girl who is well worth your august consideration. I think you ought to besto

t little brown girl, I suppose? Charming no doubt,

aid Scott. "You had your back

Miss de Vigne makes her appearance. I don't mind giving her a dan

voice that seemed to veil a touch of irony. "I bel

oung tones that penetrated so much further than she realized. "But I shall never dare to dance. Why, I've never even seen the inside of a ballr

n her, gave her a swift, critical gl

ile so radiant that even Eustace was momentarily d

Scott. "Sir Eustace Studley-Miss-I

rmured Eustac

How could you? Our name is Bathurst. I'm Dinah and this is Billy. I am years

nes. "She's just pretending to be young to-night, but she a

oking down at the girl with eyes that were suddenly soft as velvet. "They are b

ouch upon the arm he offered. "Oh, how lovely!" she said, and slid into h

. "And she's never danced with a

learn!"

suspected, Dinah was an exquisite dancer. Her whole being was merged

nce as perfectly as he was dancing now. It was not often that he had a partner worthy of his b

y of her began to possess him. Her instant response to his mood, her almost uncanny interpretation thereof, became like a spell to his senses. From wonder he passed to delight, and from delight to an almost feverish desire for more. He swayed her to his will with a well-nigh savage exultation, and she gave herself up

e music suddenly quickened for the finish. That brought him v

, incredulous look of one awaking from an enthralling dream. "Oh, can

turn after the transformation scene. It is bathos on the top of the superb. At

ly told her something, something that no eyes had ever told her before. It was incredible but true. Homage had met homage, aye, and more than homage. There was mastery in his look; but there was also wonder and a curious species of half

in answer to his almost involuntary quest

e with you the whole evening. But I should probably end by maki

ieved a conquest undreamed of. She also was feeling a litt

e fiery intensity of his, "I've never danced with a man before? I-

have really never danced with a man

" said Dinah, dra

ce with me ag

dded.

ry next

ed again

ter that?" sa

, half-daring. "Don't you think

I'll risk it

with a small, confident

said. "Don't you wan

y," he said.

gh. "And what about-all my other par

o. Seriously, you don't want to da

it serious,"

?" he i

her eyes

t?" he in

thout conditions.

me for to-night, and when you're not dancing with me, you

whisper

s beating very fas

is superb, magnificent, and I want to keep it for myself. It may not be the same when you've dance

nsciously. She had never dreamed that

"But I don't suppose for an instant that anyone else w

you to dance with a young oaf who didn't know how. It's a barg

t tell," la

. We won't lose a minute. I always like

as the music began, caught her to him, and they floated onc

moved upon air as though winged. Apollo had drawn her up to Olympus