His striking figure, the long black hair, and the fancifully embroidered costume he wore contrasted strangely with Betty's slender, graceful form and pretty gray dress.
"Well, well, Lewis, I would not have believed anything but the evidence of my own eyes," said Colonel Zane, with a laugh, as Betty and Wetzel approached him.
"If all the men could dance as well as Lew, the girls would be thankful, I can assure you," said Betty.
"Betty, I declare you grow prettier every day," said old John Bennet, who was standing with the Colonel and the Major.

"If I were only a young man once more I should try my chances with you, and I wouldn't give up very easily." "I do not know, Uncle John, but I am inclined to think that if you were a young man and should come a-wooing you would not get a rebuff from me," answered Betty, smiling on the old man, of whom she was very fond.
"Miss Zane, will you dance with me ?" The voice sounded close by Betty's side.

She recognized it, and an unaccountable sensation of shyness suddenly came over her.

She had firmly made up her mind, should Mr.Clarke ask her to dance, that she would tell him she was tired, or engaged for that number--anything so that she could avoid dancing with him.

But, now that the moment had come she either forgot her resolution or lacked the courage to keep it, for as the music commenced, she turned and without saying a word or looking at him, she placed her hand on his arm.