Don't drive me away from you just yet." "Drive you away ?" in soft concern.

"I did not mean----" "You will, some day.

But don't do it to-night." Then the quick, feverish smile broke out.
"Do you need a servant?
I'm out of a place.

I can either cook, clean silver, open the door, wash sidewalks, or wait on the table; so you see I have every qualification." Smilingly perplexed, she let her eyes rest on his pallid face for a moment, then turned toward the stage again.
The "Seven Sisters" pursued its spectacular course; Ione Burke, Polly Marshall, and Mrs.Vining were in the cast; tableau succeeded tableau; "I wish I were in Dixie," was sung, and the popular burlesque ended in the celebrated scene, "The Birth of the Butterfly in the Bower of Ferns," with the entire company kissing their finger-tips to a vociferous and satiated audience.
Then it was supper at Delmonico's, and a dance--and at last the waltz promised him by Ailsa Paige.
Through the fixed unreality of things he saw her clearly, standing, awaiting him, saw her sensitive face as she quietly laid her hand on his--saw it suddenly alter as the light contact startled both.
Flushed, she looked up at him like a hurt child, conscious yet only of the surprise.
Dazed, he stared back.

Neither spoke; his arm encircled her; both seemed aware of that; then only of the swaying rhythm of the dance, and of joined hands, and her waist imprisoned.