the lower end of the room, where were the
palms and shrubbery which concealed the musicians, gathered her gown in
her right hand, and stood smilingly expectant. Her cheeks were deeply
flushed, her eyes sparkled, her perfectly cut lips slightly parted.
For an instant his eyes rested upon her face and they glowed with open
admiration. Then his arm had encircled her firm, lithe waist and they
whirled leisurely out upon the crowded floor.

She felt his strength, but it was the strength that exalts a woman, a
strength that a woman could glory in and not feel embarrassed or
self-conscious; a sense of being protected, not overwhelmed, filled
her. And through the rhythm of the dance and the complete sympathy
which it brought, one for the other, she caught perfectly his
poise--the mental suggested through the physical--strong, determined,
and so utterly masculine in a big, clean way.

The poetry of the waltz was well defined. The reputation of the Navy
was losing nothing at his hands, or rather feet, as they glided in and
out among the various couples, gracefully and easily. Both were
exalted; it could not have been otherwise. Her supple body yielded
instinctively to the guidance of his arm, seemed, indeed, almost a part
of it--bodies and minds one in the interpretation of the science of
rhythmic motion. Neither spoke until the floor had been circled. Then
she turned her head and looked into his face.

"To-morrow?"

"Don't," said Jack, half laughing. "I don't want to think of
to-morrow."

"Neither do I," she grimaced, "but I can't help it. I am going to lose
my driver."

He smiled grimly, but did not reply.

"And so," she said unconsciously allowing herself to relax in his arm,
"what am I going to do?" Her glance was humorously pathetic. "It has
been so much fun. But it could n't last, as Trilby said."

"Some day, soon, when I have put on my uniform, may I come here and
help you decide?"

"Decide what, pray?"

"You asked me what you were going to do."

She stopped dancing and looked at him with sober face.

"Well, you 'd better believe you may come here, then. You are not
going to escape quite so easily. As to advice--cannot you give me that
now?"

"I could," replied Jack. "But I won't--not now."

"Oh, do!" Her voice was teasing. "You can't imagine what straits I
shall be in. Not that I would promise to pronounce it wise--"

They were dancing again.

"Well, then, I certainly shall hold m