d people were going, even the
young ones who love dancing. As soon as I was able, I scuttled out of my
ball dress and into a dressing gown. Also I undid my hair, which is my
one beauty, and let it hang over my shoulders, streaming down in front
on each side, so that nobody would know one shoulder is higher than the
other. It wasn't that I was particularly anxious to appear well before
Di (though I have enough vanity not to like the contrast between us to
seem too great, even when she and I are alone), but because I wanted her
to think, when she came to my room, that I'd been there a long time.

I was sure she would come and peep in at the door, to steal away if she
found me asleep, or to enquire how I felt if I were awake.

By and by the handle of the door moved softly, just as I had expected,
and seeing a light, Di came in. It was late, and she had danced all
night, but instead of looking tired she was radiant. When she spoke, her
voice was as gay and happy as Ivor's had been when he first came into
Lord Mountstuart's study with the Foreign Secretary.

I said that I was much better, and had had a nice rest; that if I hadn't
wanted to hear how everything had gone at the ball, I should have been
in bed and asleep long ago.

"Everything went very well," said she. "I think it was a great success."

"Did you dance every dance?" I asked, working up slowly to what I meant
to say.

"Except a few that I sat out."

"I can guess who sat them out with you," said I. "Ivor Dundas. And one
was number thirteen, wasn't it?"

"How did you know?"

"He told me he was going to have thirteen with you. Oh, you needn't try
to hide anything from me. He tells most things to his 'Imp.' Was he nice
when he proposed?"

"He didn't propose."

"I'll give you the sapphire bracelet Lady Mountstuart gave me, if he
didn't tell you he loved you, and ask if there'd be a chance for him in
case he got Algiers."

"I wouldn't take your bracelet even if--if--. But you're a little
witch, Lisa."

"Of course I am!" I exclaimed, smiling, though I had a sickening wrench
of the heart. "And I suppose you forgot all his faults and failings, and
said he could have you, Algiers or no Algiers."

"I don't believe he has all those faults and failings you were talking
about this evening," said Di, with her cheeks very pink. "He may have
flirted a little at one time. Women have spoiled him a lot. But--but he
_does_ love me, Lisa."

"And he did love Maxine!