'Yes,' said Jerry, uncomfortably, 'Hampshire people did cling to these fashions, Mr. Chevenix, and, when they danced, meant it in no mistake.' Though, in his pre-occupation of mind, Bevil Goring was far from enjoying himself, he was too good a dancer not to have plenty of partners, but there was more than one pair of lovers there that night who sought the corridors, the staircase, or the aisles of the great conservatory, and he regarded them enviously, as he thought of her from whom he was as yet so hopelessly, and, as it seemed, cruelly and absurdly separated. But, as for the ball, it is chiefly as regards Jerry's affair that we refer to it. As a ball it was undoubtedly a success. There was a sprinkling of titled people, a number of the squirearchy, a large proportion of gentleman farmers, and blooming dowagers blessed with broods of pert, pretty, marriageable daughters, and Jerry had brought a considerable male contingent from the camp, so 'all went merry as a marriage bell.' As for Bella, she was never without partners, as those who danced with her once always came back again. 'Jerry has actually introduced Lord Twesildown to that girl!' said Lady Wilmot behind her fan to Cousin Emily, who grew pale with annoyance. We may mention that the peer in question took his title from the highest mountain which overlooks Aldershot. But after a turn or two they observed that the pair took a promenade round the room. 'Is this your first visit to the district?' asked Lord Twesildown. 'Oh, no,' replied Bella, 'I live here.' 'Live here, at Wilmothurst!' 'Yes--at the village.' 'How funny!' drawled his lordship, rather puzzled. 'Oh, Chevenix--I remember the name now.' 'Lead me to a seat, please,' said Bella, curtly, on which he conducted her to one near Lady Wilmot, and retired into a corner. 'Tired already, Miss Chevenix?' asked Lady Wilmot. 'Oh, no--I never tire of the waltz when I have a good partner,' replied Bella. 'And Lord Twesildown?' 'Oh, he can't dance a bit.' 'Heavens!--surely you did not tell him so?' 'Well, I hinted as much.' 'Oh, Miss Chevenix, what will he think?' 'He said he thought he would adapt his step to mine, but he had no step to adapt.' 'But to say this to a man of his position!' The haughty Bella, who resented Lady Wilmot's tone and expression of eye, only fanned herself and laughed, as if she thought an earl's son might be 'snubbed' as well as that of a yeoman. Her hostess now turned her back on Bella, and never addressed her again. As Jerry was again drawing near, Lady Wilmot approached him, and said, 'Do you mean to dance with no one but Miss Chevenix to-night?' 'Mother, I have only danced with her twice as yet, and I have done my duty to everyone else, so I think I may please myself now. Our waltz, I think, Miss Chevenix,' he added, as his arm went round her, and they disappeared among the whirling circles that swept over the polished floor to the music of the military band.