elf heart and soul into
everything, as Nelly intended doing; and I found myself wondering if
there would be very much harm in doing so.

An hour later and I was in the midst of it. The first one who made his
way to me was Captain Gates.

'I want you to give me a waltz,' he said. 'We have danced together
before, so don't say "No." I have been looking forward to it.'

I shook my head.

'I can see from your face, Captain Gates, that you know what my answer
will be. I think you would be very surprised if I were to do it.'

'I assure you I shouldn't be,' he responded; 'there's no earthly
difference in dancing now and dancing a week or two ago. It is the
same partner and the same place. Come, don't make my evening an
unpleasant one by refusing!'

'I should not do that in any case,' I answered; 'there are plenty of
other partners in the room for you.'

'I will not dance with any of them if I cannot dance with you.'

I looked up in surprise; there was suppressed vehemence in his tone; he
went on,--

'Will you come out upon the terrace with me? I--I want to speak to
you.'

I hesitated, and wanted to refuse, but I had a longing to get out into
the cool air, and I did not realize at the time what it might lead to.

So throwing a light shawl over my head I stepped out upon the terrace,
and then suddenly he overwhelmed me with surprise and consternation by
telling me that he cared for me, and asking if I could return his love.

'I am very, very sorry,' I faltered; 'but you have known me such a
little while that I never dreamt of such a thing. I can hardly believe
you are in earnest even now.'

'Do I look as if I were trifling?' he said earnestly. 'Miss Thorn, you
have the making of me in your hands. I have led a useless kind of life
up to the present, and I have for a long time been dissatisfied and
restless about it. I see you have what I have not, and I want your
help. I do want a good woman as my wife--I feel she could raise my
life to a higher level, and you could do this for me.'

'I cannot,' I said gravely. 'No one can do that but God.'

He went on without heeding me,--

'Don't think I am asking you only to be my reformer--I would give you
love in return. You don't know what you are to me! I cannot get your
image out of my heart. Don't steel yourself against me, but try, do
just try, to like me.'

'I like you as a friend very much,' I replied, trying to speak gently,
for I could see he was