The blissful agony of those first few moments was intolerably sweet.
She was actually dancing with him (one, two, three; one, two, three).
Her soft hair was close to his cheek (one, two, three; one, two, three).

What if he should miss a step (one, two, three)--or fall?
He stole a glance at her; she smiled reassuringly.

Then he forgot all about the steps and counting time.

He felt as he had that morning on shipboard when the _America_ passed the _Great Britain_.

All the joy of boyhood resurged through his veins, and he danced in a wild abandonment of bliss; for the band was playing "Home, Sweet Home," and to Sandy it meant that, come what might, within her shining eyes his gipsy soul had found its final home.
[Illustration: "Then he forgot all about the steps and counting time"] When the music stopped, and they stood, breathless and laughing, at the dressing-room door, Ruth said: "I thought Annette told me you were just learning to dance!" "So I am," said Sandy; "but me heart never kept time for me before!" When Annette joined them she looked up at Sandy and smiled.
"Poor f-fellow!" she said sympathetically.