day night--a friend from Salem that I hope you will be glad to see."

"From Salem----"

"Mr. Saltonstall. He was in here a fortnight or so ago. His mother and I
used to be great friends. I happened to ask him if he knew the
Leveretts, and he told me about his brother's marriage, that you were
one of the bridesmaids."

"Oh, yes. Laura Manning was one of the older girls at Madam Torrey's.
They had just gone in their new house and the wedding was splendid. And
I liked Mr. Edward Saltonstall so much. He is a most beautiful dancer.
I'm so glad he is coming. You see I don't know many of the new dances,
and I shouldn't so much mind making a break with him."

She looked up in her sweet, brave innocence as she uttered it.

"You are not in love with him, little lady, and he is very much smitten
with you," Mrs. Stevens ruminated. "But you shall have the chance."

"I've always liked Ed," she continued. "He's a nice, frank, honest
fellow, pretty gay at times, but not at all in the dissipated line, just
full of fun and frolic. So I asked him down, and here he says he will
come," waving her note. "I look out for men who dance. I do like to see
young folks have a good time. The older people can play cards."

It seemed rather odd that at eight o'clock not a soul had come. At home
they would be beginning the fun by this time. Then a sudden influx of
girls, some she had met before--two or three young men--and then young
Saltonstall, who had been counting the moments the last half hour.

"I am so glad to see you. It was such a surprise."

He could see it in her face, hear it in her voice. He really was afraid
of saying something foolish--something that would be no harm if they
were alone.

"I've known Mrs. Stevens a long while. And Mr. Giles Leverett. It's
queer--well, not quite that either--that I've known you such a little
while. I always thought of you as a child, though I've seen you drive
your pony carriage."

"Mrs. Stevens is delightful."

Then there was another relay, quite a number of young gentlemen. The
black fiddlers in the hall began to tune up.

There were two very handsome girls and beautifully gowned. All of them
looked pretty in dancing attire. Then a quadrille was called. There were
just eight couples.

Of course, Mr. Saltonstall took her. The rug was up and the floor had
been polished. The dancing was elegant, harmonious.

"The next is the Spanish dance. You will like that. The windings about
are like th