r he had entered by reopened, and a couple came down the
steps to the corner where he was sitting.

"Oh, there's some one there!" cried Louise at the sight of the dark
figure. "Maurice! Is it you? What are you doing here?"

"Sssh!" said Herries warningly, afraid lest her clear voice should
carry too far.

"Yes. It's me," said Maurice stiffly, and rose. "But I'm going. I
shan't disturb you."

"Disturb?" she said, and laughed a little. "Nonsense! Of course not."
From her position on Herries's arm, she looked down at him, uncertain
how to proceed. Then she laughed again. "But how fortunate that I found
you! The next is our dance, isn't it?"---she pretended to examine her
programme. "It will begin in a minute. I think I'll wait here."

"The next may be, but not the next again, remember," said Herries,
before he allowed her to withdraw her arm. Louise nodded and laughed.
"AUF WIEDERSEHEN!"

But after the door had dosed behind Herries, she remained standing, a
step higher than Maurice, tipping her face with her handkerchief.

When she descended the step, and was on a level with him, he could see
how her eyes glittered.

"Was that lie necessary?--for me?"

"What's the matter, Maurice? Why are you like this? Why have you not
asked me to dance?"

He was unpleasantly worked on by her free use of his name.

"I, you? Have I had a chance?"

"Wasn't it for you to make the chance? Or did you expect me to come to
you: Mr. Guest, will you do me the honour of dancing with me?--Oh,
please, don't be cross. Don't spoil my pleasure--for this one night at
least."

But she laughed again as she spoke, as though she did not fear his
power to do so, and laid her hand on his arm: and, at her touch, he
seemed to feel through sleeve and glove, the superabundance of vitality
that was throbbing in her this evening. She was unable to be still for
a moment; in the delicate pallor of her face, her eyes burned, black as
jet.

"Are you really enjoying yourself so much? What CAN you find in it all?"

"Come--come down and dance. Listen!--can you resist that music? Quick,
let us go down."

"I dance badly. I'm not Herries."

"But I can suit my step to anyone's. Won't you dance with me?--when I
ask you?"

She had been leaning forward, looking over the balustrade at the
couples arranging themselves below. Now she turned, and put her arm
through his.

They went down the stairs, into the hall. Close beside the door at
which they entered,