her
friend's broken heart with intense interest.

"It is disgusting," said Augusta.

"She doesn't seem to mind the least who sees it. She must mean to leave
Lord George altogether, or she would never go on like that. De Baron
wouldn't be such a fool as to go off with her?"

"Men are fools enough for anything," said the broken-hearted one. While
this was going on Mary danced her square dance complaisantly; and her
proud father, looking on, thought that she was by far the prettiest
woman in the room.

Before the quadrille was over a gong was struck, and the music stopped
suddenly. It was twelve o'clock, and the Kappa-kappa was to be danced.
It is hard in most amusements to compel men and women into disagreeable
punctuality; but the stopping of music will bring a dance to a sudden
end. There were some who grumbled, and one or two declared that they
would not even stay to look at the Kappa-kappa. But Mrs. Montacute
Jones was a great autocrat; and in five minutes' time the four couples
were arranged, with ample space, in spite of the pressing crowd.

It must be acknowledged that Jack De Baron had given no correct idea of
the dance when he said that it was like a minuet; but it must be
remembered also that Lady George had not been a party to that deceit.
The figure was certainly a lively figure. There was much waltzing to
quick time, the glory of which seemed to consist in going backwards,
and in the interweaving of the couples without striking each other, as
is done in skating. They were all very perfect, except poor Lord
Giblet, who once or twice nearly fell into trouble. During the
performance they all changed partners more than once, but each lady
came back to her own after very short intervals. All those who were not
envious declared it to be very pretty and prophesied great future
success for the Kappa-kappa. Those who were very wise and very discreet
hinted that it might become a romp when danced without all the
preparation which had been given to it on the present occasion. It
certainly became faster as it progressed, and it was evident that
considerable skill and considerable physical power were necessary for
its completion. "It would be a deal too stagey for my girls," said Mrs.
Conway Smith, whose "girls" had, during the last ten years, gone
through every phase of flirtation invented in these latter times.
Perhaps it did savour a little too much of ballet practice; perhaps it
was true that with less care the