dy were enmeshed, as in a network of
sunbeams, holding him close to earth.

For weeks part of him had been fighting, subconsciously, against the
compelling power that is woman; now, consciously, he was alive to it,
swept along by it, as by a tidal wave. Since that amazing moment at the
prize-giving, all his repressed ferment had welled up and overflowed;
and when an imaginative, emotional nature loses grip on the reins, the
pace is apt to be headlong, the course perilous....

He had dined at the Eltons'--a lively party; chaff and laughter and
champagne; and Miss Arden--after yesterday's graciousness--in a
tantalising, elusive mood. But he had his dances secure--six out of
twenty, not to mention the cotillon, after supper, which they were to
lead. She was wearing what he called her 'Undine frock'--a clinging
affair, fringed profusely with silver and palest green, that suggested
to his fancy Undine emerging from the stream in a dripping garment of
water-weeds. Her arms and shoulders emerged from it a little too
noticeably for his taste; but to-night his critical brain was in
abeyance.

Look where he would, talk to whom he would, he was persistently,
distractingly aware of her; and she could not elude him the whole
evening long....

* * * * *

Supper was over. The cotillon itself was almost over; the maypole figure
adding a flutter of bright ribbons to the array of flags and bunting,
evening dresses, and uniforms. Twice, in the earlier figures, she had
chosen him; but this time, the chance issue of pairing by colours gave
her to Desmond. Roy saw a curious look pass between them. Then Lance put
his arm round her, and they danced without a break.

When it was over, Roy went in search of iced coffee. In a few seconds
those two appeared on the same errand, and merged themselves in a lively
group. Roy, irresistibly, followed suit; and when the music struck up,
Lance handed her over with a formal bow.

"Your partner, I think, old man. Thanks for the loan," he said; and his
smile was for Roy as he turned and walked leisurely away.

Roy looked after him, feeling pained and puzzled; the more so, because
Lance clearly had the whip-hand. It was she who seemed the less assured
of the two; and he caught himself wishing he possessed the power so to
upset her equanimity. Was it even remotely possible that--she cared
seriously, and Lance would not...?

"Brown studies aren't permitted in ballrooms,