Annette was radiant in colour and
unapproachable in the grace of her movement.

"By Jove! She is a wonder!" said Vic. "Some dancer, if she only had a
chance."

"Well, why don't you go down, Vic," said Patricia sharply. "You know you
are just aching to show off your fox trot. Run away, little boy, I won't
mind."

"I don't believe you would," replied Vic ruefully.

For some minutes longer they all stood watching the scene below.

"They are a jolly crowd," said Adrien. "I don't think we have half the
fun at our dances."

"They certainly get a lot for their money," said Vic. "But wait till
they come to 'turkey-in-the-straw!' That is where they really cut
loose."

"Oh, pshaw!" cried Patricia. "I can 'turkey' myself. Just wait and
you'll see."

"So can I," murmured Vic. "Will you let me in on it? Hello," he
continued, "there is the Captain and Annette. Now look out for high art.
I know the Captain's style. And a two-step! My eye! She is a little airy
fairy!"

"How beautifully she dances," said Adrien. "And how charmingly she is
dressed."

"They do hit it off, don't they," said Rupert. "They evidently know each
other's paces."

Suddenly Adrien turned to Hugh: "Don't you think we should go down?" she
asked. "You know we must not stay late."

"Yes, do come along!" cried Patricia, seizing Victor by the arm and
hurrying to the stairs, the others making their way more leisurely to
the dancing room.

The hall was a scene of confused hilarity. Maitland was nowhere to be
seen.

"Oh! let us dance, Vic!" cried Patricia. "There is really no use waiting
for Captain Jack. At any rate, Adrien will claim the first dance."

No second invitation was needed and together they swung off into the
medley of dancers.

"We may as well follow," said Hugh. "We shall doubtless run into
Maitland somewhere before long."

But not in that dance, nor in the three successive dances did Maitland
appear. The precious moments were slipping by. Patricia was becoming
more and more anxious and fretful at the non-appearance of her hero.
Also, Hugh began to notice and detect a lagging in his partner's step.

"Shall we go out into the corridor?" he said. "This air is beginning to
be rather trying."

From the crowded hall they passed into the corridor, from which opened
side rooms which were used as dressing and retiring rooms, and whose
entrances were cleverly screened by a row of thick spruce trees set up
for the occasion.

"This is bett