"Yes," said Miss Hanford, blushing a little. "But I hope you don't think I spoke to you just to have you dance with me----" "Not at all," Dick hastened to say. "Because my card is nearly filled now," she went on. "I hope I may find room to put my name down in several places." "You may look. I think the next waltz is open." "It seems to be the only one," said Dick, ruefully. A little later he and the girl were sailing about the room to the strains of a dreamy waltz. Dick was a fine dancer, Miss Hanford was his equal, and the two made a pleasing appearance on the big ballroom floor. "Where were you?" asked Paul, as Dick came walking up to him after the young millionaire had taken his partner back to her mother. "I was looking for you to introduce a girl to you." "I managed to meet one myself." "Who?" "Miss Mabel Hanford." Paul whistled. "What's the matter?" asked Dick. "Isn't she all right?" "I should say so! Every fellow here is anxious to dance with her, but Dutton seems to monopolize her. He seems to think he's engaged to her." "I don't believe he has any right to think that," spoke Dick warmly. "She's a very nice girl. I wish I had met her earlier in the evening." The band was playing another waltz. "So do lots of other fellows, I guess. But you're doing pretty well. There goes Dutton with her now," continued Paul. Dick looked on, with envious eyes. Though Dutton and Miss Hanford were waltzing about, she did not seem at ease. Her face was flushed, and Dutton looked angry. When the dance came to an end he left her abruptly. Dick strolled over, casually, though his heart was beating faster than usual. "You look warm," he said to the girl. "Yes, the room is very close," she replied, and she fanned her face with a filmy lace handkerchief. "Perhaps you would like an ice." "Indeed I should." "I'll get you one," promised Dick. Then, waxing bold, he looked at her program. "What are you looking for?" she asked with a laugh. "To see what sort of ice I prefer? It's not there, but I'll take orange, if you can get one." "I was looking to see, if by any good fortune you had another vacant place on your card." "I'll make one for you," she said with a smile, as she crossed out a name. "Tantrell can look for another partner," she added. "Who may Tantrell be?" asked Dick, as he put his name in place of the erased one. "My cousin. He brought me here, but he doesn't care much for dancing. I know he'll be glad to have you relieve him." "Not half so glad as I am," retorted Dick quickly. "Now I'll get you the ice." As he walked away he saw Dutton eyeing him angrily. "Probably he doesn't like me to be talking to her," thought Dick.