I was promptly seized by a young man, who feigned to have met me in some former incarnation, and introduced to a girl from Detroit whose name I shall never know in this world. I remember that she danced well, and that she asked me whether I knew people in Duluth, Pond du Lac, Paducah and a number of other towns which she recited like a geographical index. She formed, I think, a high opinion of my sense of humor, for I laughed at everything she said in my general joy of the situation. After our third dance I got her an ice and found another cavalier for her. I did not feel at all as contrite as I should have felt as I strolled round the veranda toward Rosalind and Gillespie. They were talking in low tones and did not heed me until I spoke to them. "Oh, it's you, is it?"--and Gillespie looked up at me resentfully. "I have been gone two years! It seems to me I am doing pretty well, all things considered! What have you been talking about?" "'--'Bout Giunts, an' Griffuns, an' Elves, An' the Squidgicum-Squees 'at swallers therselves!'" Rosalind quoted. "I hope you have been enjoying yourself." "After a dull fashion, yes." "I should like to tell her that! We saw you through the window. She struck us as very pretty, didn't she, Reggie?" "I didn't notice her," Gillespie replied with so little interest that we both laughed. "It's too bad," remarked Rosalind, "that Aunt Pat couldn't have come with us. It would have been a relief for her to get away from that dreary school-house." "I might go and fetch her," I suggested. "If you do," said Gillespie, grinning, "you will not find us here when you get back." Rosalind sighed, as though at the remembrance of her aunt's forlorn exile; then the music broke out in a two-step. "Come! We must have this dance!" she exclaimed, and Gillespie rose obediently. I followed, exchanging chaff with Rosalind until we came to the door, where she threw off her cloak for the first time. "Lord and Protector, will you do me the honor?" It all happened in a moment. I tossed the cloak across my arm carelessly and she turned to Gillespie without looking at me. He hesitated--some word faltered on his lips. I think it must have been the quick transition of her appearance effected by the change from the rich color of the cloak to the white of her dress that startled him. She realized the danger of the moment, and put her arm on his arm. "We mustn't miss a note of it! Good-by,"--and with a nod to me I next saw her far away amid the throng of dancers.