But in his present condition his one hope and endeavour
was to get the queen of the revels, the rose of the garden, into his
possession.
With this end in view he faithfully devoted himself to whatever partner
was given him by Louis, who had taken him in charge and was enjoying to
the full the spectacle of "Rich" Kendrick exerting himself, as he had
probably never done before, to give pleasure to those with whom he was
thrown. At last Fate and Roberta were kind to him. It was Louis,
however, who manipulated Fate in his behalf.
Catching his sister as one of her cousins, a young son of Uncle Henry,
released her, Louis drew her into a corner--as much of a corner as one
could get into with a sister at whom, wherever she turned, half the
company was looking.
"See here, Rob, you're not playing fair with the guest. Here's the
evening half over and you haven't given him a solitary chance. What's
the matter? You're not afraid of His Highness?"
"This is a dance for the uncles and cousins," retorted Roberta, "not for
society young men."
"But he's done his duty like a man and a brother. He's danced with aunts
and cousins, too, and has done it as if it were the joy of his life.
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