ng to escape dancing with Mr. Griggs. She would ask Cherry
to make her apologies to everybody. As she entered the room she felt
ashamed of herself, and unable to take any place. She was oppressed
by an idea that she ought not to be walking about without some
gentleman with her, and that people would observe her. She was still
very near the door when she perceived that Mr. Rowan was also coming
in. She determined to avoid him if she could, feeling sure that
she could not stop him in anything that he might say, while so
many people would be close around them. And yet she felt almost
disappointment when she heard his voice as he talked merrily with
some one at the door. At that moment Mrs. Cornbury came up to her,
walking across the room on purpose to join her.

"What, all alone! I thought your hand was promised for every dance up
to five o'clock."

"I believe I'm engaged to some one now, but I declare I don't know
who it is. I dare say he has forgotten."

"Ah, yes; people do get confused a little just about this time. Will
you come and sit down?"

"Thank you, I should like that. But, Mrs. Cornbury, when you're ready
to go away, I am,--quite ready."

"Go away! Why I thought you intended to dance at least for the next
two hours."

In answer to this, Rachel declared that she was tired. "And, Mrs.
Cornbury, I want to avoid that man," and she pointed out Mr. Griggs
by a glance of her eye. "I think he'll say I'm engaged to him for the
next waltz, and--I don't like him."

"Poor man; he doesn't look very nice, certainly; but if that's all
I'll get you out of the scrape without running away." Then Mr. Griggs
came up, and, with a very low bow, struck out the point of his elbow
towards Rachel, expecting her immediately to put her hand within it.

"I'm afraid, sir, you must excuse Miss Ray just at present. She's too
tired to dance immediately."

Mr. Griggs looked at his card, then looked at Rachel, then looked
at Mrs. Cornbury, and stood twiddling the bunch of little gilt
playthings that hung from his chain. "That is too hard," said he;
"deuced hard."

"I'm very sorry," said Rachel.

"So shall I be,--uncommon. Really, Mrs. Cornbury, I think a turn or
two would do her good. Don't you?"

"I can't say I do. She says she would rather not, and of course you
won't press her."

"I don't see it in that light,--I really don't. A gentleman has his
rights you know, Mrs. Cornbury. Miss Ray won't deny--"

"Miss Ray will deny t