At Large

s ones to enthusiasts in either arena; but the former is a less depressing sight in January than

lded like air beneath her airy feet. She shut the door quietly, though with an elbow; her hands were full. She carried two long wax candles that knew no flame,

imperfect. The other foot followed; it would be impossible to dance on a floor like this. Next instant the l

atch her unawares-if you can. Most graceful and most sweet, then-I admit that the combination is a rare one,

the floor was not so very bad, while the practice was very good, and-the sensation was delicious. Yet a third round-a last one-with quickened breath and heightened colour, and supp

t,

n front of her cutlery and candles

oom was filled by a pair of broad shoulders; and well set up on the shoulders w

Miss B

eally, M

the window twice; and the third time I thought I'd see what it was. I came and looked, and thought it was

iments," said Alice severely; "especial

her through the windo

o liken you to gods I never saw, a

that her freak required

she said. "I never dreamt that any

"You surely haven't forgotten the lesson you promised to give me?"-swinging his legs into the room-"I claim th

had none. Standing with one's back to these windows, the door was on the right hand side, and, facing it, a double door communi

some indignation. It was just like Mr. Miles

But about the lesson? You know I never danced i

ve come to me

cooking, I

r. Miles! The

d show me the ropes. It won't take you ten minutes; I assure you I'm a quick learner

not in this house. There was nothing for it but to give in, show him the rudiments

, then. Attention! One, two, three;

f half-a-dozen steps: he did not try; he insisted o

member-then two, three-little quick ones. Now try. No, you needn't lift your feet; you are n

ve feet nothing, and slid gravely rou

to, sharply; "and, let me tell you, you wil

stoppe

" he asked, gazing helpl

rst out

ntil evening. The ten minutes are up; but you have exactly six

o-night, Miss Bristo, and it will serve you righ

o be seen," sai

ive inches, and speaking in that smooth, matter-of-fact tone that ushered i

Mil

a thousand times better. Is it so very

r. Miles, no; grave, heroic, middle-aged Mr. Miles! With a mighty show of condescension, Miss Bristo agreed to one round, and n

empty room. Before they were h

ated; never d

upil nothing, it was Alice's plain duty to stop; but this she forgot to do. Mr. Miles, for his part, said not a word, but

nservatory at this time; for the worst of an india-rubber sole is the catlike tread that it gives the m

within her years would, one feels, be futile. Without doubt she behaved as the girl of this

t, in broad daylight, and in silence-Alice, happening to look up, saw a look on h

She disengaged herself with little ado, an

murely; "but it shall be deducted

and they were pink. But a single lock of hair-a wilful lock that had got astray in the dance, and lay on her shoulder like a wisp of sunlit hay-attracted his attention, and held it. When he

ight hand, and in his left was a lock of her hair. For one moment Miss Bristo was dumb with indignation. Then her lips parted; but before she could say a word the door-

with an indulgent smile. "If you are at liberty, and Ali

with his fingers upon the handle, he turned, and for an instant regarded Alice w

next sound that reached her ears was at the other side of the room in which she sat. Sh

ngry man. She quailed; a strange thrill crept through her frame; she could only look and listen. It seemed an age before Dick spoke. When

plot? If it was, do say so, and so far as I am concerned its effect shall be

him. Poor girl, the irony of Fate seemed directed against her! She had

have my answer before either of us leaves this room. I mean to know all

e you to speak

less of late, yet still that! A

w that i

lover" in his looks, and much of the true hater. Yet even now, one gentle word, one tender lo

though only by coincidence!) the man you loved once and enslaved for ever-this man of all others asked by you to

years better than his life; that he had wrenched himself from England and from her-for her sake; that during all that time her image had been graven on his

ight or wrong in the beginning, she is right now; she needs no more t

idly in the face. "Have the goodness to explain yourself befor

s on the very sea-you took away your love from me, and gave it to another man. Since then see how you have treated me! Well, that man-th

his eyes a marble statue, pure and cold, seem

e known that some weeks. There has since been friendship; yes, you shall have an end put to that too, though you might have asked it differently. Stay, I have not finished. You spoke of Mr. Miles; most of what you said was beneath notice; indeed, you have so far lost self-control that I think you cannot know now what you said

m!" cried Di

to the quick-sick and sore at heart-revenge came w

d. Dick was staggered. He

know it-a villain and an impostor! But I will

r with a dull dead thud. Next moment he had vaulted through the open

fferent character took place in Col

at this hundred will be eno

nother Queensland mail is due a month hence

do not send down to meet every mail. Your partne

raft by this mail but for the floods. I feel confident they have prevented him sendi

. I cashed the cheque myself this morning, by the way; I happened to be in

sto, I can n

sir. You sav