then complain when it comes my turn to laugh? I
think I am the one who should be offended, but you see I am not."

"Caskoden, did you tell him?" demanded Mary, evidently referring to
the wager.

"He said not a word of it," broke in Brandon, answering for me; "I
should have been a dullard, indeed, not to have seen it myself after
what you said about the loss of your ten crowns; so let us cry quits
and begin again."

Mary reluctantly struck her flag.

"Very well, I am willing," she said laughingly; "but as to your
boldness, I still insist upon that; I forgive you, however, this
time." Then, half apologetically, "After all, it is not such a
grievous charge to make. I believe it never yet injured any man with
women; they rather like it, I am afraid, however angry it makes them.
Don't they, Jane?"

Jane, of course, "did not know," so we all laughed, as usual, upon the
slightest pretext, and Mary, that fair bundle of contradictions and
quick transitions, stepped boldly up to Brandon, with her colors
flying in her cheeks, ready for the first lesson in the new dance.

She was a little frightened at his arm around her waist, for the
embrace was new to her--the first touch of man--and was shy and coy,
though willing, being determined to learn the dance. She was an apt
pupil and soon glided softly and gracefully around the room with
unfeigned delight; yielding to the new situation more easily as she
became accustomed to it.

This dance was livelier exercise than La Galliard, and Mary could not
talk much for lack of breath. Brandon kept the conversation going,
though, and she answered with glances, smiles, nods and
monosyllables--a very good vocabulary in its way, and a very good way,
too, for that matter.

Once he said something to her, in a low voice, which brought a flush
to her cheeks, and caused her to glance quickly up into his face. By
the time her answer came they were nearer us, and I heard her say: "I
am afraid I shall have to forgive you again if you are not careful.
Let me see an exhibition of that modesty you so much boast," But a
smile and a flash of the eyes went with the words, and took all the
sting out of them.

After a time the dancers stopped, and Mary, with flushed face and
sparkling eyes, sank into a chair, exclaiming: "The new dance is
delightful, Jane. It is like flying; your partner helps you so. But
what would the king say? And the queen? She would simply swoon with
horror. It is delightful, t