gracious! Ken, what time is it? I'm afraid I'm staying too late. I
promised Nan I'd leave at half-past twelve."

"It's not much more than that. Can't you stay for another dance?"

"No, I can't possibly. I must run right away, or my motor car will
turn into a pumpkin, and Louise into a white mouse. Take me to Mrs.
Homer, please, and I will say good-night to her."

But as they crossed the room, they met Van Reypen coming toward
them.

"Our dance, I think," he said, coolly, as he took Patty's hand.

The music had just started, and its beautiful rhythm was too
tempting for Patty to resist.

"I'm just on my way home," she said, "but we'll go around the room
once, and then I must go."

"Once indeed!" said Philip, gaily; "we won't stop until the music
does."

"Yes, we will; I must go now," but somehow or other they circled the
room several times. Patty loved dancing, and Philip was one of the
best of partners.

But at last she laughingly protested that she really must go home,
and they went together to say good-night to their hostess. And then
Patty said good-night to Philip, and ran away to the dressing-room,