"I _don't know_," Mrs. Paxton said. "Well, I won't do a thing 'til I do know!" said Floretta. Silly little girl! Always a jealous child, she now thought that Nancy _might_ be another impersonator or imitator, and she was nearly wild. The orchestra was now playing a dreamy waltz. Nancy's foot tapped the measure. Her eyes were brighter. "What _is_ she going to do?" whispered Floretta. The tall man, who had been announcing the numbers, now swung aside the portière, and Nancy slipped from her chair, ran out upon the stage, and then,--oh, the fairy motion of her arms, the lightness with which, on the tips of her toes, she flew across the stage! With her finger-tips she lifted the hem of her skirt, and courtesied low, then away in a dreamy whirl she sped, turning to look over her shoulder, and laugh at the faces that showed greatest surprise. On swept the strains of sweetest music, and little Nancy, carried away with love of the music, danced more charmingly than ever before. Aunt Charlotte and Mrs. Dainty watched her flying figure, and often as they had seen her, they knew that she was excelling herself. "Nancy, Nancy, dear child!" murmured Aunt Charlotte. Now, with her feet crossed, and still on the tips of her toes she whirled like a top, did the graceful rocking step, swayed like a flower in the wind, whirled about again, courtesied once more, and laughing like a merry, dark-eyed sprite, ran back into the little waiting-room. Oh, what thunders of applause greeted her, yet she sat quietly chatting with a lady who stood near her! Again and again they seemed to be begging that the little dancer might return. "I'll bow to them," said Nancy, and she ran out to do so. "Once more, once more!" cried an eager voice, and then more clapping, and even a few shrill whistles from some very young men begged her to respond. She extended her arms for a second, then whirling rapidly, she repeated the last half of the dance, courtesied again, and when she ran back to the little room, Dorothy embraced her tenderly. "Oh, Nancy darling!" she cried, "you never danced finer. Do you know how pleased every one is?" "I danced to please and surprise them," said Nancy. "I _do_ love to see people look happy. They couldn't remember how hard it was raining while I was whirling and dancing for them." Floretta, now more unhappy than before, turned so that she might not see Nancy, nor note the shimmer of her spangles. Mrs. Paxton, who had been talking with a friend, now turned toward Floretta. "Come!" she said, "now run out, and do your very best, Floretta." "I'm not going out!" said Floretta. "What an idea!" cried Mrs. Paxton. "Of course you'll run out, and show every one how cute you are. Why, I planned this entertainment just to give you a chance to show off!" "And made me the last one on the whole list!" snarled Floretta.