to do it, or stay away from dinner.”
Mr. Snowden looked first amazed, and then he burst into laughter.
“I beg your pardon, I’m sure,” he said, “but I had no idea! And so Lady Hamilton is your chaperon? I see. Of course. Well, we’ll have the stroll just the same, if you will, and we’ll ask her to go with us.”
“Isn’t she the dearest thing?” exclaimed Patty, looking at Lady Kitty across the table, and feeling much more at her ease now that she had confessed her position.
“She is a beautiful and charming woman,” agreed Mr. Snowden.
And then it was time for Patty to turn back to Mr. Merivale, for she had learned that one must divide the time fairly between dinner neighbors.
“I didn’t offend you, did I?” said young Merivale, eagerly. “You turned so quickly—and—and you—er—blushed, you know, and so I was afraid—er——”
But Patty was of no mind to confess the fewness of her years to everybody, and her mischievous spirit returned as she determined to chaff this amusing young man.
“What!” she said, reproachfully, “an Englishman, and afraid!”
“Afraid of nothing but a fair lady’s displeasure. All true Englishmen surrender to that.”
“I’m not displeased,” said Patty, dimpling and smiling; “in fact, I’ve even forgotten what you said.”
“That’s good! Now we can start fresh. Will you save a lot of dances for me to-night?”
“Oh, will there be dancing?” exclaimed Patty, delighted at the prospect.
“Yes, indeed; in the big ballroom. Will you give me all the waltzes?”
Patty looked at him in amazement. “You said you were going to ‘start fresh,’” she said, “and now you’ve certainly done so!”
But the American phrase was lost on the Englishman, who only proceeded to repeat his request.
Meantime, Mr. Snowden was asking Patty for a dance.
“Certainly,” she said, “I shall be pleased to dance with you.”
“You’ll give me more than one dance or you needn’t give me any,” grumbled young Merivale.
“All right,” said Patty, quickly. “Mr. Snowden, I’ve just had a dance ‘returned with thanks,’ so you can have that, if you wish it.”
“I do indeed,” he replied, enthusiastically, and Mr. Merivale relapsed into a sulky silence.
Then Lady Herenden rose from the table, and the ladies all rose and followed her up to one of the beautiful salons, where coffee was served to them. Patty managed to secure a seat on a divan beside Lady Hamilton.
“You quite take my breath away, little Patty,” said her friend, in a low voice. “You are already a favourite, and in a fair way to become the belle of the ball.”
“I try not to act too old, Kitty,” said Patty, earnestly, “but truly everybody thinks I’m a society lady. They don’t even look on me as a débutante.”
“Never mind, dearie; have all the fun you can. Enjoy the dancing, and don’t care what anybody thinks.”
Encouraged by Lady Hamilton’s approval, Patty ceased to think about her demeanour and proceeded to enjoy the conversation of those about her.
Lady Herenden was especially kind to her, and singled out the young American for her special favour and attention.
Chapter VIII.
The Earl of Ruthven
After a time the men came from the dining-room and rejoined the ladies.
Patty was chatting with a group of young women, and when she glanced around, it was to see Lord Ruthven standing at her side.
“I was miles away from you at dinner,” he said, “but now there is an opportunity, let us begin our lessons in English at once.”
“Do,” said Patty, smiling; “where shall be our classroom?”
“We’ll pre-empt this sofa,” said Lord Ruthven, indicating, as he spoke, a gold-framed Louis XIV. tête-à-tête. “We’ll pretend that it is a real schoolroom, with four walls hung with maps and charts—just such as you used to have when you were a little girl.”
Patty smiled at this reference to her far-away school-days, but fell in with his mood.
“Yes,” she said, “and you must be the stern schoolmaster, and I the stupid pupil who has been kept in after school.”
But their merry game was interrupted by Lady Herenden’s invitation to the ballroom.
Escorted by Lord Ruthven, Patty followed the others to the great hall where they were to dance.
It was a resplendent apartment, with balconies and boxes, from which the spectators could look down upon the dancers. A fine orchestra furnished the music, and Patty, who loved to dance, found her feet involuntarily keeping time to the harmonious strains.
“Shall we have a try?” said Lord Ruthven, and in a moment they were gliding over the smooth floor.
Patty already knew that English dancing is not like the American steps, but she was so completely mistress of the art, that she could adapt herself instantly to any variation.
“I won’t compliment your dancing,” said the Earl, as the waltz was finished, “for you must have been told so often how wonderfully well you dance. But I must tell you what a pleasure it is to dance with you.”
Patty thought this a very pretty speech, and graciously gave his lordship some other dances for which he asked, and then, leaving her with Lady Herenden, he excused himself and went away. Then Patty was besieged with would-be partners. Her dancing had called forth the admiration of everybody, and the young men crowded about, begging to see her dance-card.
Only Mr. Merivale stood aloof. He was still sulky, and he looked so like a cross schoolboy that Patty took pity on him.
She slightly nodded her head at him by way of invitation, and he came slowly toward her.
“Which two do you want?” she said, demurely.
Merivale’s face lighted up. “You are indeed kind,” he said, in a low voice. “I will take any you will give me. My card is blank as yet.”
So Patty arranged the dances, and the young man went away looking much happier. The evening was all too short. Patty whirled through dance after dance, and between them was restored to Lady Herenden or Lady Hamilton, only to be claimed the next minute by another partner.
“What a belle it is!” said Lady Herenden, patting the girl’s shoulder affectionately. “You have made a real sensation, Miss Fairfield.”
“But I’m Cinderella, to-night,” she said, gaily.
“Wait till to-morrow, and see all my popularity vanish.”
Lady Herenden did not understand, but took it as merry chaff and paid no heed.
Then Lord Ruthven came for the last dance.
“This is an extra, Miss Fairfield,” he said; “will you give it to me?”
Patty agreed, but as they walked away, his Lordship said:
“You look really tired; would you not rather sit on the terrace than dance?”
“I am tired,” said Patty, honestly; “I think it’s carrying this