Gretel agreed, and having found a chair for her, her partner hurried away and was speedily lost to sight in the crowd. It was rather amusing to watch the hurrying, chattering throng, and Gretel was enjoying the novel experience thoroughly, when her attention was suddenly attracted by the sight of a gentleman in evening clothes, who had just entered the room. In an instant all her pleasure was gone; her heart gave a great bound and began beating very fast, for the man was Fritz Lippheim. He was evidently alone, but appeared quite at home in his new surroundings, and was moving leisurely towards one of the tables. He passed so close to Gretel that she could have put out her hand and touched him, but if he recognized her, he made not the slightest sign, and Gretel, flushing and trembling, sank back in her seat, wishing with all her heart that she had never come to the dance. It was just at that moment that another man paused in passing Fritz to say in a friendly tone: “Good-evening, Martin. Glad to see you here to-night.” “Good-evening,” responded Fritz Lippheim, who did not look at all surprised or embarrassed by his new name, and then the two passed on, and Gretel heard no more of their conversation. “Here I am at last,” said Stephen. “I began to think it was hopeless, but I managed to secure some ice-cream and a couple of glasses of lemonade. How warm you look. It is stifling in here. Let’s go out on the piazza. A lot of people are eating there.” “Yes, oh, yes, let’s go out,” said Gretel, rising, and speaking in a tone of such unmistakable relief that her companion regarded her rather curiously. “I was sorry to be so long,” he said. “You weren’t frightened or uncomfortable, were you?” “Not frightened exactly,” said Gretel, trying to laugh, “but--but it was a little uncomfortable. There was such a crowd, you know, and I was all alone.” Stephen could not help laughing. “I didn’t know you were so timid,” he said. “I will be careful how I leave you alone again, even for the purpose of getting ice-cream.” He spoke jestingly, but Gretel’s face was very grave. “I am a coward,” she said; “I have been a coward all my life, and I am afraid I shall always be one.” [Illustration: IF HE RECOGNIZED HER, HE MADE NOT THE SLIGHTEST SIGN.--_Page 191._] But Stephen refused to take her seriously, and made so merry over the little episode that Gretel found herself laughing, and in a few minutes had regained her usual self-possession. It was much less crowded on the piazza, and having secured a table to themselves, they were soon enjoying ice-cream and lemonade, while the distant dance music fell softly on their ears, mingling with the sound of the water lapping against the pier. “We have had a jolly two weeks all together, haven’t we?” Stephen remarked, as he set down his empty lemonade glass. “It’s a shame you can’t stay over till Monday, and go back with the Barlows.”