I could talk better if we were more alone." As I live, she rose and put her hand upon my arm with no further argument; why, I cannot say, perhaps because I had allowed no other man to stand thus near her.
We stepped out upon the crowded floor.

I was swept away by it all, by the waltz, by the stars above, by the moon, by the breath of women and the scent of their hair, and the perfume of roses, by the passion of living, by youth, youth! Ah, God! ah, God!--I say to you, it was sweet.
Whatever life brings to us of age and sorrow, let us remember our youth, and say it was worth the while.

Had I never lived but that one night, it had been worth while.
She danced as she stood, with the grace of a perfect young creature, and the ease of a perfect culture as well.

I was of no mind to look further.
If this was not Ellen, then there was no Ellen there for me! Around and around we passed, borne on the limpid shining stream of the waltz music, as melancholy as it was joyous; music that was young; for youth is ever full of melancholy and wonder and mystery.

We danced.