"Yes, I know them," replied Brandon.

"Why, you are a perfect treasure; teach me at once. How now, Master of
the Dance? Here is your friend outdoing you in your own line."

"I am glad to hear it," I returned.

"If Lady Jane will kindly play some lively air, written in the time of
'The Sailor Lass,' I will teach the Lady Mary the new dance," said
Brandon.

Jane threw one plump little knee over the other and struck up "The
Sailor Lass." After she had adjusted the playing to Brandon's
suggestion, he stepped deliberately in front of Mary, and, taking her
right hand in his left, encircled her waist with his right arm. The
girl was startled at first and drew away. This nettled Brandon a
little, and he showed it plainly.

"I thought you wished me to teach you the new dance?" he said.

"I do, but--but I did not know it was danced that way," she replied
with a fluttering little laugh, looking up into his face with a half
shy, half apologetic manner, and then dropping her lashes before
his gaze.

[Illustration]

"Oh, well!" said Brandon, with a Frenchman's shrug of the shoulders,
and then moved off as if about to leave the floor.