Page:Maud Howe - A Newport Aquarelle.djvu/172

 The chill of the reminiscence, the cool look in the eyes of Gladys Carleton as she stooped to pick up another pebble, arrested his arms stretched impulsively toward her. He altered his attitude rather clumsily, and sprang to his feet as if the gesture which she had seen had been only an effort to steady himself in rising.

But Gladys had both seen and understood it, and after making a last and most successful toss of her biggest stone, she said,— "I think we had better go back now; don't you?"

As they rejoined the party, the band was striking up the music for a Virginia reel. The long lines were formed upon the greensward, and were headed by Mrs. Fallow-Deer and Mr. Gray Grosvenor.

"Stand at the foot, Miss Gladys and Larkington!" cried the light-footed and lighter-witted host. "Now then, off we go!"

And off they did go at a great pace, Mrs. Fallow-Deer dancing to Larkington, and Mr.