ther proud of the exhibition of pleasure
he made at the encounter. True, it was languid and there was an air of
amused condescension in the way he accepted our cordial greetings; but we
were still boyish enough to like to feel him above and beyond us, although
not unattainable.

"Well, old fellow," he remarked presently to Harry, "why are you penned up
here? Is it as sheep or wolves that you are kept out of the fold? Why
aren't you dancing?"

"We only just came in," returned Harry, "and we don't know the hostess by
sight, and have nobody to speak to."

"Why, that was Mrs. Dwight I was talking with just now.--A terrible old
woman, Floyd: I will introduce you presently, as soon as that crowd clears
away. I understand you came by invitation from Miss Lenox. Seen her?"

We had seen nobody, we were obliged to confess.

"Miss Georgy is having a good time. I put in my claim as an old Belfield
friend for a couple of waltzes. She has the best pace of any woman here.
Handsome girl, but dangerous: devilish amusing, though. Wonder where she
got her ideas in that cramped, puritanical little place? Pity she's going
to marry such a slow coach as Jack Holt! Beg your pardon--nothing
derogatory intended. You must yourself admit that he is rather slow.--By
the by, Floyd, how's the heiress?"

I knew whom he meant, but did not like his tone, and asked him squarely to
whom he referred.

He laughed, and looked at me with close scrutiny. "I alluded to Miss
Floyd," said he, twisting his long moustache with his gloved fingers. "I
don't know many heiresses myself, unlucky dog that I am! and she is such a
tremendous one--she is _the_ heiress _par eminence_. She must be fifteen
by this time. Remember me to her when you see her, Floyd; or perhaps you
write to her?"

"Not at all," I answered.

"Is she as pretty as ever?" he pursued.

"Pretty? She never seemed to me pretty."

"Oh, you are too young to recognize beauty when you see it. She was the
loveliest child I ever knew, with her pale complexion, her brilliant eyes
and aristocratic profile. Georgy Lenox is a gaudy transparency beside her.
But I forgot: I must come out and see you at your rooms. Only don't bore
me: it is the fashion at universities to talk of subjects never discussed
anywhere else by civilized beings, and I can't abide such rubbish. I hear
you're quite the pride of your class, Floyd?"

"Oh, what wretched nonsense!"

"Your modesty pleases me.--Come on, boys: Mrs. Dwi