Mrs. Morrell danced smoothly and lightly for a woman of her size, but was inclined to snuggle up too close, to permit undistracted guidance to her partner. It was almost impossible to avoid collisions with other couples, unless one possessed a Spartan mind and an iron will. In spite of himself, Keith became increasingly aware of her breast pressing against his chest; her smooth arm against his shoulder; the occasional passing contact of her, scarcely veiled from the sense of touch by the thin flame-coloured silk; the perfume she affected; the faint odour of her bright blond hair. In an attempt to break the spell he made some banal remark, but she shook her head impatiently. She danced with her eyes half closed. When the music stopped she drew a deep sighing breath. "You dance--oh, divinely!" she cried. "I might have known it." She moved away, and Keith followed her, a trifle intoxicated. "Let me see your card," she demanded abruptly. "Why, you haven't done your duty; this is hardly a third filled!" "I hadn't started to fill it--and then you came in," breathed Keith. They were opposite the door leading into one of the numerous small rooms off the main floor of the armoury. "Let's sit here--and you can get me a punch," she suggested. He brought the punch, and she drank it slowly, leaning back in an easy chair. The place was dimly lighted, and her blond, full beauty was more effective than in the more brilliantly lighted ballroom. Mrs. Morrell exerted all her fascination. The next dance was half over before either Keith or--apparently--Mrs. Morrell became aware of the fact. "Oh, you must run!" she cried, apparently greatly exercised. "Don't mind me; go and find your partner." Keith replied, that he had this dance free, a fact of which her inspection of his card had perfectly informed her. In answer to his return solicitation as to her own partner, she shrugged her shoulders. "Oh, he'll find me," she said indifferently. "This is very cozy here." They resumed what had become an ardent flirtation. Toward the end of the dance Mrs. Morrell's partner came in, looking very flurried. Before he could say a word, Mrs. Morrell began reproachfully to chide him with lack of diligence. "I've been waiting just _rooted_ to this spot!" she said truthfully. "Shall we dance?" suggested the unfortunate young man. "It's nearly over," replied Mrs. Morrell carelessly. "Do sit down with us. Get yourself something to drink. _Don't go!_" she commanded Keith fiercely under her breath. At the beginning of the fourth dance, however, her next partner found her and led her away. She "made a face" over her shoulder at Keith.