governess, however, set herself to comfort her heartbroken charge, and
presently succeeded in restoring Miss Rennsdale to a semblance of that
poise with which a lady receives callers and accepts invitations to
dance cotillons. But she continued to sob at intervals.

Feeling himself at perhaps a disadvantage, Penrod made offer of his
hand for the morrow with a little embarrassment. Following the form
prescribed by Professor Bartet, he advanced several paces toward the
stricken lady and bowed formally.

"I hope," he said by rote, "you're well, and your parents also in good
health. May I have the pleasure of dancing the cotillon as your partner
t'-morrow afternoon?"

The wet eyes of Miss Rennsdale searched his countenance without
pleasure, and a shudder wrung her small shoulders; but the governess
whispered to her instructively, and she made a great effort.

"I thu-thank you fu-for your polite invu-invu-invutation; and I ac----"
Thus far she progressed when emotion overcame her again. She beat
frantically upon the sofa with fists and heels. "Oh, I DID want it to be
Georgie Bassett!"

"No, no, no!" said the governess, and whispered urgently, whereupon Miss
Rennsdale was able to complete her acceptance.

"And I ac-accept wu-with pu-pleasure!" she moaned, and immediately,
uttering a loud yell, flung herself face downward upon the sofa,
clutching her governess convulsively.