"
"I've a mind to hold you to that offer," said she, with mischief in her
eyes. "But the next number is the old-time 'Lancers,' and I'm needed.
Should you like to dance it?"
"With you? I--"
"Of course not. With--well, with Aunt Ruth, Uncle Rufus's wife. You
ought to know her if you're to know him. She's just a bit lame, but we
always get her to dance the 'Lancers' once on Christmas Eve, and if you
want the dearest partner in the room you shall have her."
"I'll be delighted, if you'll tell me how it goes. If it's like the
thing I saw you dancing I can manage it, I'm sure."
"It's enough like it so you'll have no trouble. I'll dance opposite you
and keep you straight. See here--" and she gave him a hasty outline of
the figures.
His eyes were sparkling as he followed her out of the alcove. To be
allowed to dance opposite Roberta and be "kept straight" by her through
the figures of an unfamiliar, old-fashioned affair like the "Lancers"
was a privilege indeed. He laughed to himself to think what certain
people he knew would say to his new idea of privilege.
He bent before Mrs. Rufus Gray, offered her his arm, and took her out
upon the floor, accommodating his step to the little limp of his
partner.
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