dress, out-princing and out-duking every prince and duke among the
Marquise de Roquemartine's guests. And I, who hadn't even known that he
possessed evening clothes, could not have opened my eyes wider if my
knight had appeared in full armour.

I had broken the news of the scarlet dress to him, nevertheless I saw it
was a shock. To each one, the other was a new person, as we stood and
talked together. I said not a word about my scene with Bertie, for there
was trouble enough between the two already; but when Jack told me that,
if I were asked to dance by anyone objectionable, I must say I was
engaged to him, I knew which One loomed largest and ugliest in his mind.

A glance round the big, bright room showed me many strangers. All were
servants, however, for the grand people had not yet come down to play
their little game of condescension. A band from Clermont-Ferrand was
making music, but the ball was to be opened by the marquise and her
guests, who were to honour their servants by dancing the first dance
with them. Each noble lady was to select a cook, butler, footman,
chauffeur, or groom, according to her pleasure; and each noble lord was
to lead out the female worm which least displeased his eye.

Hardly had I time to dive deep into the wave of domesticity, when the
great moment arrived, and a spray of aristocracy sprinkled the top of
that heavy wave, with the dazzling sparkle of its jewels and its beauty.
Really it was a pretty sight! I had to admire it; and in watching the
play of light and colour I forgot my private worries until I saw Bertie
bowing before me.

The marquise had just honoured her own butler. The marquis was offering
his arm to the housekeeper; the Duc de Divonne had led out Miss Nelson's
bilious maid, appalling in apple-green: Miss Nelson was returning the
compliment by giving her hand to his valet: why should not this young
gentleman dance with his step-mother-in-law's maid?

There seemed no reason why not, except the maid's disinclination; and
sudden side-slip of the brain caused by the glassy impudence in Mr.
Stokes's eye so disturbed my equilibrium that I forgot Jack's offer. He
did not forget, however--it would hardly have been Jack, if he had--but
stepped forward to claim me as I began to stammer some excuse.

"Oh, come, that isn't playin' the game," said Bertie. "We're all dancin'
with servants this turn. Go ask a lady, Dane."

"I have asked a lady, and she has promised to dance with