Happily I had my ration-card, and I
derived great comfort from its pregnant directions, which I read from
time to time by the smell of the red-hot lamp which I was bearing...."
Here my lady appeared, and I led her into the corridor and on to the
floor.
As she had promised, she was wearing a silver frock. One white shoulder
was left bare, and a heavy fringe, that swayed evenly with her every
movement, made the sum line of her dress still more graceful. Silvery
stockings covered her gleaming ankles, and she was shod with silver
shoes.
For a little we spoke of Berry, and she told me how he had boarded her
car and respectfully begged her compassion. Then I spoke of the bitter
wind which had blown us about so inconsiderately, before the fog had
come to lay upon us stripes of another kind.
"I lost my hat one day," I added casually.
At that she jumped in my arms as if I had stabbed her, but I took no
notice, and we danced on.
Deliberately I recounted my loss and my pursuit, only omitting my
encounter with her chauffeur.
"I happen to know," I concluded, "that the lady of the limousine is here
to-night. Before the ball is over I shall have danced with her."
"But you've never seen her," she protested.
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