"Yes--yes! If I am allowed!" And then, with a sudden memory
of her promise to the Colonel, "But I don't suppose I shall be. And I
haven't anything to wear except my fancy dress."
"What of that?" he said lightly. "Call the fairies in to help!"
She laughed, and ran in.
Not for a moment did she suppose that she would be allowed to dance that
night; but it seemed that luck was with her, for the first person she met
was the Colonel, and he was looking so particularly well pleased with
himself and affairs in general that she stopped to tell him of her drive.
"It's been so perfect," she said. "I have enjoyed it! Thank you ever so
many times for letting me go!"
Her flushed and happy face was very fair to see, and the Colonel smiled
upon her with fatherly kindness. He could not help liking the child. She
was such a taking imp!
"Glad you've had a good time," he said. "I hope you thanked your friends
for taking you."
"I should think I did!" laughed Dinah; and then seeing that his
expression was so benignant she slipped an ingratiating hand through his
arm. "Colonel, please--please--may I dance to-night?"
"What?" He looked at her searchingly, with a somewhat laboured attempt to
be severe. "Now--now--who do you want to dance with?"
"Anyone or no one," said Dinah boldly. "I feel happy enough to dance by
myself."
"That means you're in a mischievous mood," said the Colonel.
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