hen believed he must be wrong, for, after dancing
with his fourth partner--a tall, sweet-faced, graceful girl--he saw him
lead her up to a thin, washed-out lady, of--well, middle age; and the
next moment a sweet, silvery voice said--

"Pray, take aunt to have an ice, Lieutenant Lacey!"

The lieutenant bowed and smiled, offered his arm, and, as his partner
took the elderly lady's place, the latter was led off.

"The lady of the serenade!" thought Dick, without hearing her voice.

Almost directly after, as Dick was arranging a fresh sheet of music on
his desk, but watching the fair-haired, graceful girl at the same time,
his heart suddenly gave a bound, for he saw the major approaching, with
a handsome, manly-looking young officer, who, with a half-contemptuous
smile, was listening to his companion's remarks.

They came on to where the young lady was seated not five yards away, and
the next instant, as he stood there as if turned to stone, Dick heard
every word spoken, and the major introducing Sir Mark Frayne to Miss
Deane. Then they were left together, and Mark Frayne busily entered his
name in three places upon the lady's programme, her name upon his own;
after which he began creating the customary small talk, but at the same
time seemed to be a good deal impressed by his new partner's personal
appearance.

It might have been Dick's jealous anger which caused his thoughts to
take this direction as he stood there, feeling his breath come short,
and as if he must go out at once, clap his cousin on the shoulder, and
say, "Here! I want to speak to you at once."

And all the while Mark was so close that nearly all his remarks and the
lady's replies were perfectly audible.

As Dick still gazed, stern and forbidding-looking, Lacey came slowly
back with the thin, elderly lady, and as Mark Frayne saw by his
partner's look that someone was approaching, he turned sharply.

"Ah, Lacey, old fellow," he said, "I have just been securing Miss Deane
for the next dance."

"Take off your cap!"

Lacey said something, but Dick did not hear what, and the niece rose to
give up her place, and then accepted Mark Frayne's arm.

"Take off your cap, sir!"

"Don't forget I come next but one, Miss Deane," said Lacey.

"Oh, no; I will not forget," she replied, with a pleasant smile.

"Will you attend to me, and take--off--your--cap, sir?" came sharply
from behind Dick, who started, coloured, and snatched off his cap,
conscious no