would be a splendid match for her son," and "how happy she would
be with such a daughter-in-law as Miss Charteris, so beautiful
and dignified;" and all this because Ronald wanted to secure
Valentine's friendship, so that she might intercede for Dora.

When, for the fourth time, Ronald asked Miss Charteris "for the
next dance," she looked up at him with a smile.

"Do you know how often we have danced together this evening?" she
asked.

"What does it matter?" he replied, wondering at the flush that
crimsoned her face. "Forgive me, Miss Charteris, if I say that
you realize my idea of the poetry of motion."

"Is that why you ask me so frequently?" she said, archly.

"Yes," replied honest Ronald; "it is a great pleasure; for one
good dancer there are fifty bad ones."

He did not quite understand the pretty, piqued expression of her
face.

"You have not told me," said Valentine, "whether you like my
flowers."

"They are very beautiful," he replied; but the compliment of her
selection was all lost upon him.

Miss Charteris did not know whether he was simply indifferent or