w that the bandmaster was speaking to him, and the words had
been heard by Mark Frayne and his partner, to whom Mark made some
playful remark, at which she smiled, as they both gazed at the young
bandsman.

Then, as Dick's eyes met his cousin's with an angry stare, the latter's
countenance changed, and he gave an involuntary start, but tossed his
head in a contemptuous manner the next moment as he passed on, bending
down to say something to the lady.

Then _tap_--_tap_--_tap_ went Wilkins' baton, the band played a short
introduction, and then glided off into one of Waldteuffel's waltzes;
and, as Dick played, the cold perspiration stood out upon his forehead,
while his eyes followed the couple as they went on down one side of the
long mess-room, passed across, and then easily and gracefully swung
round and round as they approached. Once they were quite close, and
then passed him so near that he could have stretched out his hand,
leaned forward, and touched Mark Frayne, who, however, never once lifted
his eyes all through the dance, evidently forgetful, in his efforts to
make himself agreeable, of the countenance which had given him so sudden
a shock.

For, after he had started on the waltz, he had dismissed the idea with
one word--

"Absurd!"

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.

THE ALARM.

Dance succeeded dance; the refreshment-room was visited in the
intervals; and, as the various couples passed the musicians, scraps of
their conversation told, from time to time, how great a success the ball
was considered to be; while, among the faces, all looked bright and
animated except two--those of Dick and Lieutenant Lacey--who, between
the dances, came by the orchestra several times to attend to the two
ladies seated near, but more often to the elderly lady alone.

For the big, handsome Adonis of the regiment was by no means happy. He
told himself that he was not in the least jealous; but he had
anticipated taking the lady of his choice in to supper and been thwarted
by that lady's aunt, who had said, sweetly:

"I shall expect you to take me in to supper, Lieutenant Lacey. Sir Mark
Frayne has kindly said that he will see to my niece."

As for Dick, he worked hard at his task, and tried to think of nothing
else but the waltzes, polkas, and quadrilles; and, consequently, thought
of them hardly at all, but of the handsome young officer in scarlet, who
came again and again to where the Deanes were seated--the last time just