d Fraulein von Bergen, Hans his
sister, and the two couples went whirling through the mazes of the
dance.

Carmen looked on with sparkling eyes; a bright flush of happiness
colored her cheek, her little foot involuntarily beat time, and her
lithe form swayed to and fro with a dreamy, rhythmical movement.

"Will you not dance also?" asked Alexander, close beside her.

"Oh, I would like to, above all things!" she replied with a lovely
smile, her eyes still fixed on the dancers. "How delightful it must be
to whirl around so!"

"Will you not try it with me, Fraulein Carmen?" he urged pleadingly.

"I cannot dance; at least, not like that!" she returned, turning her
beaming countenance towards him.

"Oh, it is very easily learned; just trust yourself to my guidance.
Put your hand on my shoulder, if you please, and with my arm I will
hold you firmly as we move around;" saying which, he proceeded to put
his arm about her waist. But she drew back, and gave him a horrified
look. As yet, no man's arm had encircled her--except Brother
Jonathan's, during that one dreadful moment of her life.

"I cannot do it--no, it is quite impossible!" she stammered.

"Then you must pardon me for making the attempt," said Alexander, and
bowed coolly.

"Refused!" whispered Pohlen, mockingly, when he stopped dancing, for he
had seen Alexander's defeat.

"Yes; but as she knows _how_ to refuse, it is perhaps more to be
appreciated than when others accept," he replied.

When the family separated for the night, and Carmen had as usual given
her hand to her hostess, Adele, and Hans, she hesitated a second, and
then, with a burning blush mantling her cheek, extended her hand to
Alexander. Heretofore she had persistently avoided him; but to-day he
had proved himself her friend and protector, and she felt that some
reparation was due him for her rudeness in the past.

As she held out the little hand, and wished him "Good-night," she gave
him a pleading glance, as if to say, "Do not be angry with me!"

His countenance lighted up with surprise and pleasure. Her eyes, so
fascinating when flashing with indignation, now seemed irresistible
when moistened by a gentler emotion; and as he looked into their dark,
unfathomable depths, he felt as if he would like to gaze forever. But
her eyes fell before his ardent glance, and bowing low over the
proffered hand, he kissed it respectfully, feeling as honored as if a
queen had allowed him the privi