opened and Mr. Blake came out, you ought to have seen how she run.
What it all means I don't know, but I have my imaginings, and if she
is'nt crazy, why--" etc., etc.

In face of facts like these I felt it would be pure insanity to
despair. Let there be but a mystery, though it involved a man of the
position of Mr. Blake and I was safe. My only apprehension had been
that the whole affair would dissolve itself into an ordinary
elopement or some such common-place matter.

Where, therefore, a few minutes later, Fanny announced that Mr. Blake
had ordered a carriage to take him to the Charity Ball that evening,
I determined to follow him and learn if possible what change had
taken place in himself or his circumstances, to lead him into such an
innovation upon his usual habits. Though the hour was late I had but
little difficulty in carrying out my plan, arriving at the Academy
something less than an hour after the opening dance.

The crowd was great and I circulated the floor three times before I
came upon him. When I did, I own I was slightly disappointed; for
instead of finding him as I anticipated, the centre of an admiring
circle of ladies and gentlemen, I espied him withdrawn into a corner
with a bland old politician of the Fifteenth Ward, discussing, as I
presently overheard, the merits and demerits of a certain Smith who at
that time was making some disturbance in the party.

"If that is all he has come for," thought I, "I had better have stayed
at home and made love to the pretty Fanny." And somewhat chagrined,
I took up my stand near by, and began scrutinizing the ladies.