her, and had a dawning hope that some time they might be more than
friends. But he was a slow-going chap, and he was inclined to wait
until he had a little more to offer, before he should woo the pretty
butterfly.

And, too, Patty would never listen to a word of that sort of thing.
She had often proclaimed in his hearing, that she intended to enjoy
several years of gay society pleasures, before she would be engaged
to any one.

So Kenneth idly watched her, as she circled the room with Van
Reypen, and took himself off to find another partner.

"Oh, Valentine, fair Valentine," said Van Reypen to Patty, as they
danced.

"Wilt thou be mine, and I'lt be thine," returned Patty, in mocking
sing-song tones.

"Forever may our hearts entwine," improvised Philip, in tune to the
music.

"Like chickwood round a punkin-vine," Patty finished.

"Pshaw, that's not sentimental. You should have said, Like sturdy
oak and clinging vine."

"But I'm not sentimental. Who could be in a crowded ballroom, in a
glare of light, and in a mad dance?"