"Oh, I can't help it if the whole world hears," he groaned; "I can't wait! The way she's going on with those dashing young fellows drives me mad! Why couldn't I have been a dashing fellow too, instead of such a great live-oak hulk! I can't stir without stumbling over somebody, and as for saying those dainty things that they are pouring into her ears, and be hanged to 'em--I can't do it. No wonder she scorns me!" Tom dealt his unfortunate forehead a blow that made it scarlet for several moments, and quieted him down somewhat. "What would you advise me to do, Bessie?" he asked. "You're so sensible and so good--just give a fellow a hint." "Dear Tom, there is nothing for it but to wait--" "That's pretty advice!" he burst in. "You might as well tell a person in a blaze of fire to wait! No, I shan't wait--I shan't, I say!" Tom ran his hands through his hair till it stood up, quivering as if he had received an electric shock. "Oh, you needn't look so black at me, Bessie; I know just what a humbug I am as well as you." "I wasn't looking black at you; I am very, very sorry, Tom." "Don't pity me; I shall break right down if you do." "I must go back, Tom," she said; "I can't stay here any longer." "I know it; of course you can't. I'll just wait a minute and then----there, go! What a nuisance I am!" Elizabeth went back into the ball-room, where she saw Elsie whirling through a waltz, looking as happy and unconscious as if she had not just crushed a warm, loving human heart under her pretty foot. Mrs. Mellen stood a moment arrested; no one seemed to heed her. She saw Mrs. Harrington forcing Mellen to walk through a quadrille, and felt certain that he was as restless as herself. "But it is for Elsie," she thought; "he will not mind so long as it is for her. None of them will miss me." Tom Fuller stood in the bay window for some time trying to collect his scattered faculties. Any thing like rational thought was quite out of the question with him; he felt as if a great humming-top were spinning about in his ears, and his heart was in a state of palpitation that utterly defies description. Finally he passed through the drawing-rooms where people were busy over their cards or their small-talk, and entered the ball-room from which he had rushed in such frenzy. There was a pause in the music, and Elsie was standing surrounded by a group of gentlemen, not even seeing Tom as he approached. He managed to edge himself into the circle at last, and stood watching Elsie very much like a sheep-dog that wanted dreadfully to worry something, but knew that he would get himself into difficulty if he even ventured on a bark. But speak with her, he would; Tom had reached that point where his feelings must find vent or explode, and scatter mischief all around. Finally a brilliant idea struck him, and he got near enough to whisper-- "Bessie wants to see you a moment." Elsie turned away impatiently.