Ralph murmured something in confirmation, and Miss Regan at once stood up and placed her hand in his arm. Ralph gave a reproachful glance at his captain as he moved away. Fortunately, he was not called upon to say much, for Miss Regan burst out: "It is too bad of you not having been here before, Mr. Conway--quite rude of you. Captain O'Connor has spoken of you frequently, and we girls have been quite curious to see you. There is the music striking up. I think we had better take our places. I suppose as I am at the head of my brother's house we had better take the place at the top." Ralph never forgot that dance. Miss Regan danced with amazing sprightliness, performing wonderful steps. Her ostrich plumes seemed to whirl round and round him, he had a painful feeling that every one was grinning, and a mad desire to rush out of the house and make straight for his quarters. "Your aunt is going it," Captain O'Connor remarked to one of the daughters of the house with whom he was dancing. "She sets quite an example to us young people." The girl laughed. "She is very peculiar, Captain O'Connor; but it is cruel of you to laugh at her. I do wish she wouldn't wear such wonderful headdresses; but she once went to court a good many years ago at Dublin, and somebody told her that her headdress became her, and she has worn plumes ever since." "I am not laughing at her, Miss Regan," O'Connor said gravely; "I am admiring her. Conway is doing nobly too." "I think he looks almost bewildered," the girl laughed. "It's a shame, Captain O'Connor. I was standing quite close by when you introduced him, and I could see by your face that you were playing a joke upon him." "I was performing a kindly action, Miss Regan. The lad's young and a little bashful, and I ventured to insinuate to your aunt that he admired her." "Well, you shall introduce him to me next," the girl said. "I like his looks." "Shall I tell him that, Miss Regan?" "If you do I will never speak to you again." As soon as the dance was over Captain O'Connor strolled up with his partner to the spot where Miss Tabitha was fanning herself violently, Ralph standing helplessly alongside. "That was a charming dance, Miss Regan. You surpassed yourself. Let me recommend a slight refreshment; will you allow me to offer you my arm? Miss Regan, allow me to introduce my brother-officer, Mr. Conway." Ralph, who had not caught the name, bowed to the girl thus left suddenly beside him and offered her his arm. "Why, you look warm already, Mr. Conway," she began. "Warm is no word for it," Ralph said bluntly. "Did you see that wonderful old lady I have been dancing with?" "That is my aunt, Mr. Conway; but she is rather wonderful all the same." Ralph had thought before that he was as hot as it was possible for a man to be; but he found now that he was mistaken. "I beg your pardon," he stammered. "I did not catch your name; but of course I oughtn't to have said anything."