It came to be voted by public acclamation that Rachel Ray was the belle of the evening. I think this was brought about quite as much by Mrs. Butler Cornbury's powerful influence as by Rachel's beauty. Mrs. Butler Cornbury having begun the work of chaperon carried it on heartily, and talked her young friend up to the top of the tree. Long before supper her card was quite full, but filled in a manner that was not comfortable to herself,--for she knew that she had made mistakes. As to those spaces on which the letter R was written, she kept them very sacred. She was quite resolved that she would not stand up with him on all those occasions,--that she would omit at any rate two; but she would accept no one else for those two dances, not choosing to select any special period for throwing him over. She endeavoured to explain this when she waltzed with him, shortly before supper; but her explanation did not come easy, and she wanted all her attention for the immediate work she had in hand. "If you'd only give yourself to it a little more eagerly," he said, "you'd waltz beautifully." "I shall never do it well," she answered. "I don't suppose I shall ever try again." "But you like it?" "Oh yes; I like it excessively. But one can't do everything that one likes." "No; I can't. You won't let me do what I like." "Don't talk in that way, Mr. Rowan. If you do you'll destroy all my pleasure. You should let me enjoy it while it lasts." In this way she was becoming intimate with him. "How very nicely your house does for a dance," said Mrs. Cornbury to Mrs. Tappitt. "Oh dear,--I don't think so. Our rooms are so small. But it's very kind of you to say so. Indeed, I never can be sufficiently obliged--" "By-the-by," said Mrs. Cornbury, "what a nice girl Rachel Ray has grown." "Yes, indeed," said Mrs. Tappitt. "And dances so well! I'd no idea of it. The young men seem rather taken with her. Don't you think so?" "I declare I think they are. I always fancy that is rather a misfortune to a young girl,--particularly when it must mean nothing, as of course it can't with poor Rachel." "I don't see that at all." "Her mother, you know, Mrs. Cornbury;--they are not in the way of seeing any company. It was so kind of you to bring her here, and really she does look very nice. My girls are very good-natured to her. I only hope her head won't be turned. Here's Mr. Tappitt. You must go down Mrs. Cornbury, and eat a little bit of supper." Then Mr. Tappitt in his blue waistcoat led Mrs. Cornbury away. "I am a very bad hand at supper," said the lady. "You must take just one glass of champagne," said the gentleman. Now that the wine was there, Mr. Tappitt appreciated the importance of the occasion.