u had skipped across the room? Come."

That _was_ dancing. Not a halt nor an ungraceful turn, but every curve
and motion was as perfect as if they had danced together all their
lives. She gave two or three happy sighs. Her cheeks were like the heart
of a blush rose; she never turned very red when she ran or skipped, and
never looked blowsy.

Another person watched and thought her the prettiest thing in the room,
and was very glad she belonged to him.

"I'm sorry I have to dance with some one else and it's Lois Reade. Adams
would like to kick me, I know, and she would be twice as happy with him.
That is the price you pay for assisting your brother into matrimony.
Next time there shall not be but one bridesmaid, and I'll dance with her
all the evening."

"Next time? Will he be married twice?" she asked demurely.

"Oh, you witch! You are the most delicious dancer--it almost seems as if
you were sipping some very fine wine----"

"And it went to your head," she laughed.

"Head and heels both. I'm extravagantly fond of it with a partner like
you. You'll go to the assemblies this winter?"

"Oh, I don't know."

"Is Mr. Leverett very--he's your guardian, and somehow I stand just a
little in awe of him. He is so polished, and knows so much, and is he
going to be very exclusive?"

"Why----" She didn't quite understand, but she looked out of such lovely
eyes that all his pulses throbbed.

"Take your places."

She was standing there alone when Mr. Adams asked her. That was only
fair play. Mr. Saltonstall was in the same set and he gave her hand a
squeeze when he took her, crumpled it all up in his, and she flushed
daintily.

He could not dance with her again until the very last. That was a
"circle" in which you balanced and turned your partner and went to the
next couple, but some way you returned to your own. There were various
pretty figures in it. Once or twice she was a little confused, but he
seemed always on the watch for her.

The music stopped and the fiddlers were locking their cases. The dancers
went out to the supper-room again.

"I'd rather dance than eat. I believe I could dance without music. Would
you like to try?" he asked.

"Oh, no!" with a frightened look that made him laugh.

Mr. Leverett came, and Mr. Saltonstall was all polite deference. He
wished he could be invited to call, but how was it to be managed?

Then Cynthia went upstairs to put on her cloak. The bride kissed her,
and said she