"Go with me to Mrs. Hope's party to-morrow night." "What!" and Mac recoiled as if she had put a pistol to his head. "I've left you in peace a long time: but it is your turn now; so do your duty like a man and a cousin." "But I never go to parties!" cried the unhappy victim in great dismay. "High time you began, sir." "But I don't dance fit to be seen." "I'll teach you." "My dress-coat isn't decent, I know." "Archie will lend you one: he isn't going." "I'm afraid there's a lecture that I ought not to cut." "No, there isn't: I asked uncle." "I'm always so tired and dull in the evening." "This sort of thing is just what you want to rest and freshen up your spirits." Mac gave a groan and fell back vanquished; for it was evident that escape was impossible. "What put such a perfectly wild idea into your head?" he demanded, rather roughly; for hitherto he _had_ been "left in peace," and this sudden attack decidedly amazed him. "Sheer necessity; but don't do it if it is so very dreadful to you. I must go to several more parties, because they are made for me; but after that I'll refuse, and then no one need be troubled with me." Something in Rose's voice made Mac answer penitently, even while he knit his brows in perplexity,-- "I didn't mean to be rude; and of course I'll go anywhere if I'm really needed. But I don't understand where the sudden necessity is, with three other fellows at command, all better dancers and beaux than I am." "I don't want them, and I do want you; for I haven't the heart to drag uncle out any more, and you know I never go with any gentleman but those of my own family." "Now look here, Rose: if Steve has been doing any thing to tease you just mention it, and I'll attend to him," cried Mac, plainly seeing that something was amiss, and fancying that Dandy was at the bottom of it, as he had done escort duty several times lately. "No, Steve has been very good: but I know he had rather be with Kitty Van; so of course I feel like a marplot, though he is too polite to hint it." "What a noodle that boy is! But there's Archie: he's as steady as a church, and has no sweetheart to interfere," continued Mac, bound to get at the truth, and half suspecting what it was. "He is on his feet all day, and Aunt Jessie wants him in the evening. He does not care for dancing as he used, and I suppose he really does prefer to rest and read." Rose might have added, "and hear Phebe sing;" for Phebe did not go out as much as Rose did, and Aunt Jessie often came in to sit with the old lady when the young folks were away; and, of course, dutiful Archie came with her; so willingly of late!