rd, how are you? Ah, Mary? Edith, you are
lovelier every day. But where is that rascal Charley? I must find a
partner for my sweet-heart----'

'Oh, please, Sir George,' said Nan, with her heart beating fast.

But by this time there was a noise of preparatory music, and in the
middle of the crowd there was something visible like the formation of a
double line. At the same instant young Charley Stratherne came
hurriedly along, with an eagle eye for possible partners. Him his
father instantly seized.

'Where's Frank King? Go and get Frank King. I want Frank King.'

And behold, Frank King was at his elbow!

'Sir George----?'

'Oh, that's you, Frank King. Ask this young lady if she will dance
with you----'

'Come on, Frank,' said the youthful M.C., in his hurried bewilderment
of duty. 'You'll just do. Let me introduce you to Miss Anne
Beresford. Lieutenant King. They want a couple at the other end.'

So he disappeared in the crowd; and Nan found herself in the possession
of this young naval officer, who seemed to take matters very coolly,
considering that they were wanted right at the top of the spacious
assembly-room. Happily, she heard from the music that it was the
Lancers that was about to begin; so she was not entirely dismayed.

'I suppose we shall get through somehow,' said he, surveying the close
mass of people with the eye of a strategist. The clearing of the space
in the middle had naturally made the surrounding crowd denser.

'I think it will be difficult,' said she, timidly.

'Well, we can try this end,' said he, about to lead her in that
direction.

'Oh!' she said, very earnestly, 'I am sure we shall only embarrass them
if we have another set at this end. And--and--I am not anxious to
dance the Lancers. I would as soon not,' she said.

Then for the first time it seemed that he turned towards her; and as
she happened to be looking up at him to impress on him that she would
as soon not dance, she instantaneously lowered her eyes and sought
refuge in the little scented programme.

'Perhaps,' said he, after the fifteenth part of a second, 'perhaps you
would give me a dance that you like better.'

Her innocent answer was to hand him her programme, upon which there was
as yet not a scrap of writing. So, when that matter was arranged, he
said to her,

'Would you like to see this dance, then? It's very pretty, when you
are at a little distance. And I know how to get to that recess