"Speak, Miss Dane," Mr. Ingelow implored: "for pity's sake, don't say
you have led me on only to jilt me in cold blood at the last!"

"Rather strong language, Mr. Ingelow," said Mollie, coolly pulling to
pieces a rose. "I have not led you on, have I? I have been friendly with
you because I liked you--as I have been with a dozen others."

"Then I am to consider myself rejected, Miss Dane?"

He stood up before her, very white, with eyes of unspeakable reproach.

"What a hurry you are in!" said Mollie, pettishly. "Give me until
to-morrow. I will think it over. Between twelve and one I will be at
home; come then and you shall have your answer. There! let us go back to
the ball-room. I have promised this redowa to Mr. Sardonyx."

Mr. Ingelow, in profound silence, led Miss Dane back to the ball-room,
where they found the elegant lawyer searching for his partner.

"I thought you had forgotten me, Miss Dane," he said, taking her off at
once.

"Impossible, Mr. Sardonyx," laughed Mollie. "So sorry to have kept you
waiting; but better late than never."

That dance was the old story over again. At its close the lawyer was so
bewitched that he hardly knew whether he stood on his head or heels.

"It is coming!" thought wicked Mollie, looking sideways at him, "and