We indulge
in no ultra-modern dances on Christmas Eve, you see, and have no
dance-cards; it's always part of the fun to watch the scramble for
partners when the number is announced."
So presently Richard found himself upon the floor with little Mrs.
Stephen Gray, waltzing with her according to his own discretion, though
all around them were dancers whose steps ranged from present-day methods
to the ancient fashion of turning round and round without ever a
reverse. He saw Roberta herself revolving in slow circles in an endless
spiral, piloted by the proud arm of Mr. Philip Gray. She nodded at him
past her uncle's shoulder, and he wondered seriously if she meant to
dance with elderly uncles all the evening.
Before he could approach her she was off in the next dance with a young
cousin, a lad of seventeen. Richard himself took out one of the country
cousins to whom Mrs. Stephen had presented him, a very pretty,
fair-haired girl in white muslin and blue ribbons; and he did his best
to give her a good time. He found her pleasant company, as Mrs. Stephen
had prophesied, and at another time--any time--before he came into the
attic room to-night, he might have found no little enjoyment in her
bright society.
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