Then I saw Mr. Burke spring up from his chair again, and put his arm round Miss Vi Vassity's waist, dragging "London's Love" round the tables in a mad prance that I suppose was intended for a one-step, she laughing so much that she could neither dance nor stand still, and giving a generous display of high-heeled, gilt cothurne and of old-gold silk stocking as she was steered and whirled along. "Stand away from the door, there, Miss. Stand away, please," said one of the hurrying waiters. And I stood away, followed by my grave-faced escort, Mr. Brace. We retired further down the vestibule, among the little knot of attendants and of waiting chauffeurs. "Have you seen enough of it, Miss Lovelace?" asked Mr. Brace. "I think so," I said. I was feeling suddenly rather tired, bored by the noise, dazzled by the blaze of pink lights and the whirl of colour. "I don't think I'll wait for Miss Million after all. I'll go home." I meant to think over the talking-to that I should give Million when she returned. "I'll get you a taxi," began Mr. Brace. But I stopped him. "I don't want a taxi, thanks----" "Please. I want to see you home." "Oh! But I don't want you to," I said hastily. "I'll get the 'bus. It's such a short way. Good-night." But he wouldn't say "Good-night." He insisted on boarding the 'bus with me, and plumping himself down on the front seat beside me, under the fine drizzle that was still coming down. Certainly it was only a short 'bus ride to the Strand, but a good deal happened in it. In fact, that happened which is supposed to mark an unforgettable epoch in a girl's life--her first proposal of marriage. CHAPTER XVIII MY FIRST PROPOSAL WE were alone on the top of the 'bus. Mr. Brace turned to me, settling the oil-cloth 'bus apron over my knees as if I were a very small and helpless child that must be taken great care of. Then he said: "You didn't like it, did you? All that?" with a jerk of his head towards the side street from which the 'bus was lurching away. I said: "Well! I don't think there seemed to be any real harm in that sort of frivolling. It's very expensive, though, I suppose----" "Very," said Mr. Brace grimly. "But, of course, Miss Million has plenty of money to waste. Still, it's rather silly--a lot of grown-up people behaving like that----" Here I had another mental glimpse of Mr. Burke's reckless, merry, well-bred face, bending over Miss Vi Vassity's common, good-humoured one, with its shrewd, black eyes, its characteristic flash of prominent white teeth; I saw his tall, supple figure whirling round her rather squat, overdressed little shape in that one-step.