The Gentleman from Indiana - Page 157/212

"We haven't looked in the dancing-room," said Tom, looking at his

companion rather sorrowfully. John turned quickly and they reentered the

house.

He had parted from her in the blackness of storm with only the flicker of

lightning to show her to him, but it was in a blaze of lights that he saw

her again. The dance was just ended, and she stood in a wide doorway, half

surrounded by pretty girls and young men, who were greeting her. He had

one full look at her. She was leaning to them all, her arms full of

flowers, and she seemed the radiant centre of all the light and gaiety of

the place. Even Meredith stopped short and exclaimed upon her; for one

never got used to her; and he remembered that whenever he saw her after

absence the sense of her beauty rushed over him anew. And he believed the

feeling on this occasion was keener than ever before, for she was prettier

than he had ever seen her.

"No wonder!" he cried; but Harkless did not understand. As they pressed

forward, Meredith perceived that they were only two more radii of a circle

of youths, sprung from every direction as the waltz ended, bearing down

upon the common focus to secure the next dance. Harkless saw nothing but

that she stood there before him. He feared a little that every one might

notice how he was trembling, and he was glad of the many voices that kept

them from hearing his heart knock against his ribs. She saw him coming

toward her, and nodded to him pleasantly, in just the fashion in which she

was bowing to half a dozen others, and at that a pang of hot pain went

through him like an arrow--an arrow poisoned with cordial, casual

friendliness.

She extended her hand to him and gave him a smile that chilled him--it,

was so conventionally courteous and poised so nicely in the manner of

society. He went hot and cold fast enough then, for not less pleasantly in

that manner did she exclaim: "I am very glad to see you, Mr. Harkless, so

extremely glad! And so delighted to find you looking strong again! Do tell

me about all our friends in Plattville. I should like to have a little

chat with you some time. So good of you to find me in this melee."

And with that she turned from the poor fellow to Meredith. "How do you do.

Cousin Tom? I've saved the next dance for you." Then she distributed words

here and there and everywhere, amongst the circle about her--pretty

Marquise with a vengeance! "No, Mr. Swift, I shall not make a card; you

must come at the beginning of a dance if you want one. I cannot promise

the next; it is quite impossible. No, I did not go as far north as

Mackinac. How do you do, Mr. Burlingame?--Yes, quite an age;--no, not the

next, I am afraid; nor the next;--I'm not keeping a card. Good evening,

Mr. Baird. No, not the next. Oh, thank you, Miss Hinsdale!--No, Mr.

Swift, it is quite impossible--I'm so sorry. Cousin, the music is

commencing; this is ours."