a when there came the sound of a step outsid

voice. "Are you here?

gaged to me for the nex

ped short on the thresho

u had given

erry eyes. "So I have-practic

st have one more dance just to soothe my nerves. I've been dancing with a faultles

e tea!" s

are you?" he said. "I'm counting on that dance, and I haven't enjoyed myself at all since I saw you last. That girl is machi

m pleased,"

e. The beautiful automaton has gone back to her band-box for the night, so we can enjoy

referred coffee,"

intent look. "Oh, this'll do, thanks," he said. "It is all nectar to-night. W

"I have been listening to t

time." His hand inadvertently touched the box on the table and he looked sh

ly forward. "Give i

upon it. "No. Le

ah suddenly, and s

time to protest, and gave it forthw

cup in heavy silen

"Come along, M

ed. "I am very sorry,"

uddenly and winningly upon her.

e as much. But I mustn't. The Colonel has gone to bed with dyspepsia, and

attention to Mrs. Grundy out here. She simply doesn't exist. Scott can com

Scott. "But I'm not com

l. Come along! Just to oblige Miss Bathurst! It won

with a startled expres

me!" she said

anyone else on my account! I'm dreadfully sorry to

stace lightly. "Do you

dull pr

respectable," she said,

dn't ask it at all if I didn't know you wanted to do it. Besides, you promised.

ed perceptibly. "Lady Grace w

fingers in ca

ott. "I think I might go-jus

with steady comradeship. "I

d at once the room was filled with the plaintive alluring strains of waltz-music

f-persuasive. The music swung on with a subtle enchantment

oor closed, and they st

ace, smiling down into her eyes w

ered a sudden strain. "Of course I wanted to,"

again a glimpse of that fire in his eyes that had so thrille

t fate?" he asked her softly. "A gif

art was beating wildly, tumultuously,

ree. "Aren't we-wastin

ocking note, but he met her wish instan

thm and lure of the music caught her. She slid into the dance with delicious abandonment. The wonder and romance of it had got into her veins. No stolen pleasure

found herself standing with her partner in a curtained recess of the ballr

ght on the mountains," he sai

one caught in the meshes of a great enchantment. He ope

est, darkest sapphire. The mountains stood in solemn grandeur, domes of white mystery. The great vault

iful!" bre

but not piercing. The absolute

dream-world,"

eign supreme,"

ding eyes. Her veins were still thr

that glorious ether right above the mountain-tops as one swims t

ations," s

ily blue in that great flood of moonlig

want the impossible!" h

ast," she glanced up at him again

he questioned, d

ttle laugh, "even without the wings. If I hadn't tho

Sir Eustace, with the faint mockin

nt more?" asked

! Would you give it to me, my elf of the mou

ardour of his. "I-I don't know," she faltered

her. "Would you?" he w

d upon her like fairy batteries. Her first feeling was dismay, followed instantly by the wonder if she could be dreaming. And then

ut she obeyed it without q

I couldn't!" and wrested h

ot wait for more. To linger was unthinkable. Urged by that imperative,

rted ballroom. And here, on the point of entering the small recess fr

at she actually ran into him.

k for you," he said in hi

ow kind! I-I think I ought to go up now.

r wild rush. But she was too agitated to attempt any excuse, too agitated to check her retreat. Without a