of Buckingham led the Queen to the centre of the room, and
started the ball in earnest. The scene that followed, reminded me of
one rock starting to slide from the top of a hill: presently, as it
goes, others do join it in its journey, and soon the whole hillside is
one sliding mass. So soon as her Majesty and Buckingham had completed
a measure, others joined in, and in but a few short moments the whole
hall was swaying back and forth, first this way, then that, yet ever in
harmony, like the waves as they rush upon the shore and then recede,
and come back again, with the same delightful time, but ever with a
restful variation.

Needless to say, I was not long in finding my delightful partner.
However, I was not pleased when I came up to find that fellow, Catesby,
endeavoring to persuade her to give unto him my dance. I was close
beside him ere he knew it, and then I heard him say (the which, had he
the manners of a dog, he had left unsaid) "Methinks, Lady Hazel, thy
partner must have forgotten thee."

"Thou shouldst not think of matters which do not concern thee, Sir," I
said, quietly, in his ear, as I took Hazel by the hand and led her
forth.

"And such a trifling matter," said the impudent knave, as he shrugged
his shoulders and walked off.

Had he struck me a blow upon my cheek he could not have more insulted
me. Verily, I boiled with indignation, and swore a great oath, to
myself, that I would make him eat those words, the first time that I
should have an opportunity. So greatly was I occupied with thinking of
the pleasure I would have when my good sword should be sticking through
his body that Hazel, at last, had to pull me by the sleeve, in order to
attract my attention.

"What is the matter with thee, Walter? Thou art walking as though in a
dream; and an evil one at that, judging from the expression on your
face. I do hope that my little presence is not so unpleasant as to
make thee look like that."

This recalled me to my senses; so I apologized for my conduct, and
joined with the others, in their gaiety.

When I look back at that night, and see that fairy form passing through
the movements with me, it doth seem, unto mine old eyes, like a dream
enacted by the mind, where angels appear in mortal form and glide
around us, with their feet touching nothing more substantial than the
air. And indeed it was a dream, and one that can never be too oft
repeated. Ah, that was indeed a happy night; and s