For, though slim and graceful, _Mademoiselle_ Treves's
general appearance was undeniably sombre and elderly. The hair that she
wore coiled regally upon her head was silver-grey, and there was a
certain weariness about the mouth that, though it did not rob it of its
sweetness, deprived it of all suggestion of youth.

"I don't know if I am justified in asking for a dance," Carey said. "My
own dancing days are over."

She smiled at him, and instantly the weariness vanished. There was magic
in her smile.

"I am no dancer either, except with the little ones. If you care to sit
out with me, I shall be very pleased."

Her voice was low and musical. It caught his fancy so that he was aware
of a sudden curiosity to see the face that the black mask concealed.

"Give me the twelve-o'clock dance," he said, "if you can spare it!"

She consulted the programme that hung from her wrist. He bent over it as
she held it, and scrawled his initials against the dance in question.

"Perhaps I shall not stay for that one," she said, with slight
hesitation.

He glanced up at her.

"I thought you were here for the night."

She bent her head.

"But I may slip away before twelve for all that."

Carey smiled.

"I don't think you will, not anyhow if I have a voice in the matter. I
am Gwen's lieutenant, you know, specially enrolled to prevent any
deserting. There is a heavy penalty for desertion."

"What is it?"

Carey bent again over the programme.

"Deserters will be brought back ignominiously and made to dance with
everyone in the room in turn."

He glanced up again at the sound of her low laugh. There was something
elusively suggestive about her personality.

"May I have another?" he said. "I hope you don't mind holding the card
for me."

"You have hurt your hand?" she asked.

It was thrust away, as usual, in his pocket.

"Some years ago," he told her. "I don't use it more than I can help."

"How disagreeable for you!" she murmured.

He shrugged his shoulders.

"I am used to it. It is worse for others than it is for me. May I have
No. 9? It includes the supper interval. Thanks! And any more you can
spare. I'm only lounging about and seeing that the kids enjoy
themselves. I shall be delighted to sit out with you when you are tired
of dancing."

"You are very kind," she said.

He made her an abrupt bow.

"Then I hope you won't snub my efforts by deserting?"

She laughed again.

"No, lieutenant, I will not des