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254 the silver ones. I for the gold, or at least am trying to, for the former, if they have duller backs, have far brighter wits than their orange-coloured brethren, and get the crumbs oftenest. "Do you know," I say, as I drop my last bit deftly into the greedy maw for which it was intended, "that we are going to have something most charming and delightful?"

"And what is that?” he asks, as we pace along the terrace side by side.

"A ball!" I say, clapping my hands; "a real one, no make-believes this time! Will you ever forget that party at Charteris?"

As the words leave my lips, he looks across at Silvia, who is, for a wonder, sitting alone hard by, seemingly watching us with a listless indifference.

"I shall never forget that party," he says quietly; "and so you like the prospects of this ball?"

"Yes, indeed. Will you believe that I have never had a real partner in my life but once, and that was when I danced with you?"

"Have you not? Then for the sake of that old dance, you will give me the first, will you not?"

"Yes, but you must not be angry if I bungle dreadfully; I never could dance well!"

"Then why are you pleased at the prospect of this party?"

"I shall like the music, and the fun, and my partners, and all that."

"And I suppose you are full of delight at having to choose a new gown and wreath!"

"Full of delight!" I stare at him blankly for a moment, then look away. He little knows what a gnashing of teeth business, having a new gown in our family is. "It is not much of a pleasure," I say, with an odd smile; "it is far more of a misfortune."