e, with his spoils, was by her side, and, having restored her nerves
with champagne, proceeded to agitate them again with the warmest
protestations of affection. The child with the day's experience before
her, only half-believed him, but the spirit of coquetry woke up, and she
resolved to try and make him care for her as much as he pretended to do.

But Bluebell was trying her 'prentice hand with a veteran in such
warfare.

They were alone in the little room, in one adjoining a few people were
sitting.

"I wish that girl would not watch us so," said Bluebell, indicating one
apparently deep in a photograph book, under cover of which she was
furtively observing them.

"Oh," said Bertie, with a groan, "she's been following me about ever
since I asked her for a dance six off. I hope it is over."

"I dare say she's very angry at being left sitting out," said Bluebell.
"I am sure I should be."

"Ah," said Bertie, "your experience will be all the other way--it's us
poor fellows who will be thrown over, besides, she shouldn't have got
introduced to me. I saw her going on the wrong leg and all out of step,
and Jack Vavasour says she's a regular stick-in-the-mud to talk to."

A stream now issued from the supper room, and Mr. Vavasour, bowing
himself free from a "comfortable" looking matron, hurried up.

"Our dance, Miss Leigh. I thought I should never be in time. She was
twenty minutes at the chicken and lobster-salad, and then went in for
sweets."

"I must go and give my girl a turn, I suppose," whispered Bertie. "She's
guarding the outposts so no chance of giving her the slip. She'd go
raging off to the Colonel. Just like him, letting one in for such a real
bad thing."

A few sleighs were beginning to jingle up, but most of the girls assumed
moccasins, clouds, and furs, and kilting their petticoats as deftly and
mysteriously as only Canadians can, set out in parties, escorted by their
partners, and stepped briskly over the moon lit snow to their respective
dwellings.

Bertie saw his party off in their sleigh, tenderly squeezing Bluebell's
hand, who fell to his share, but did not return with them. Indeed, he was
walking soon in quite an opposite direction, by the side of a shrouded
figure in a rose-coloured cloud, out of which laughed the mischievous
eyes of the second Miss Tremaine.

CHAPTER IX.

CROSS PURPOSES.

Trifles, light as air,
Are to the jealous confirmation strong
As proofs of holy writ