“Why, do you not see these two importunate creatures teasing my life out? They want me to waltz, when I am tired to death and want to rest,” replied she, with a toss of the head that became her amazingly. “But I ask you to dance,” said Harry, earnestly. “It is not so fatiguing, and I am but too happy to remain here until the quadrilles recommence.” At this moment the band began a waltz, a sweet, bird-like clarionet pouring out its enchanting sounds, and the young girl bounded from her seat. “Come, Mr. Freeman, I cannot resist that!” cried she laughing. “I must surely have been bitten by a tarantula.” Harry drew back, and an expression of pain and anger crossed his face as he watched Minnie and her partner, who glanced at him with a look of haughty triumph. A hand was laid upon his arm, and Kate Linden stood beside him. “As much as I dislike _him_, Harry, I must put Minnie in the wrong. For God’s sake, let there be no quarrels between men—I will speak to Minnie. She loves you dearly, but—” “She loves adulation more,” said he bitterly. “Would to God I were not so madly fond!” But the dance ended and Minnie returned to her place, with brightened eyes and flushed cheeks. Sending her companion for an ice, she turned to Harry. “Now I will dance with you, patient creature, if you will wait a little longer.” “You are very kind,” said he, more bitterly than before. She started and looked at him, but laughed lightly as she said— “You are very particular in commending my goodness, but you do not seem pleased.” “No, Minnie; for I am too unhappy to conceal it,” was his reply. “I had thought you loved me better.” “And since I did confess that love,” said she haughtily, and coloring deeply, “by what right do you doubt it?” “Ask others beside myself, Minnie; ask all the world here, if this very hour you have not given me cause to think myself weighed in the balance with another?” “You are jealous then. I had not deemed your breast capable of harboring so base a passion,” said she scornfully. “My actions are yet uncontrolled, and I must beg leave to decline any dictation of terms from your lips.” He turned pale with suffering, but remembered her youth, and calmly met her eye. “You do me injustice, Minnie; I had no such intention I assure you.” At this moment Mr. Freeman handed her a plate of frozen strawberries, and a smile flitted over his features as he remarked their own. It was evident to him—there had been a dispute and he chose the opportunity. Quietly approaching the musicians, he gave them an order, and they began a mazourka then much in vogue. Harry’s head was turned away, and Minnie gave him a hurried glance as a most melodious voice was entreating her to dance. “Ah!” said Mr. Freeman, smiling and gazing at her, “is it forbidden already?”