when presently the alluring strains of a waltz came
floating to their ears, she looked at Chandler, and he in the same
manner looked at her; whereupon she rose, as if words had been
exchanged, took his arm, and they deserted for the ball-room. Charlie
Hunt was left ensconced in an intimate nook alone with Mrs. Hawthorne.

But he had hardly a moment in which to enjoy the feeling of advantage
this gave him before his cousin Francesca came looking for him. They
were going, she said. Father was sleepy, and mother said they must go.
If he wanted a lift home, he must hurry up. Charlie had come with them,
on the box near the driver, there being five already inside the landau.
Gallantry should perhaps have made him answer that rather than be
dragged away at this moment he would walk. But gallantry was dumb.
Charlie was not fond of walking. It was a great convenience, an economy
as well, being permitted to make use of his aunt's carriage.

Having delivered her message, Francesca had gone to put on her things,
and Charlie, after expressions of regret over the inevitable, asked Mrs.
Hawthorne whither she would wish to be taken before he left.

Let him not bother, she answered; she could find her friends without
help.

They separated. Walking slowly, she looked for faces of acquaintances.
She glanced in at the ball-room door. They were dancing still, but not
nearly so many. She turned into the reception-room, whence she could
reenter the ball-room at the other end without danger of collision, and
reach that comfortable blue satin sofa, now standing empty. There she
would sit looking on till Estelle joined her, when they would set about
making their adieux. The carriage must have been waiting for them ever
so long.

She had sat a minute, unconsciously smiling to herself, because the
sensations and impressions of the evening were all so pleasant, when
something occurred to her as desirable to be done. She rose to carry out
her idea.

The dancing had stopped; the floor was clear except in the neighborhood
of the walls, where couples stood or sat recovering breath and coolness.
She started to cross the long room. She did not skirt it because the
direct line to her destination was by the middle; she did not go fast
because there was no occasion, and it was not her way. She advanced like
a goodly galleon pushing along the sea with finely curved bows, all
sails set to catch the breeze. Her mind was entirely on her idea, and
she di