“He is dying to be introduced to you.  He is a little young, you know; but of good family, and may come into a lot of money one of these days.  Only son, and all that.  May I introduce him?”

“How you do go on, Captain O’Connor,” Miss Tabitha said, much flattered.  “By all means introduce him.”

O’Connor made his way back to Ralph.

“Come along, Ralph; I will introduce you to our host’s sister, Miss Regan.  Charming creature, and lots of money.  Awfully struck with your appearance.  Come on, man; don’t be foolish,” and, hooking his arm in Ralph’s, he led him across the room to the lady Ralph had before noticed.

“Miss Regan, this is my brother-officer, Mr. Conway, Ralph, this is Miss Regan, our host’s sister, although you would take her for his daughter.  Miss Regan, Mr. Conway is most anxious to have the pleasure of the next dance with you if you are not engaged.”

Ralph murmured something in confirmation, and Miss Regan at once stood up and placed her hand in his arm.  Ralph gave a reproachful glance at his captain as he moved away.  Fortunately, he was not called upon to say much, for Miss Regan burst out: 

“It is too bad of you not having been here before, Mr. Conway—­quite rude of you.  Captain O’Connor has spoken of you frequently, and we girls have been quite curious to see you.  There is the music striking up.  I think we had better take our places.  I suppose as I am at the head of my brother’s house we had better take the place at the top.”

Ralph never forgot that dance.  Miss Regan danced with amazing sprightliness, performing wonderful steps.  Her ostrich plumes seemed to whirl round and round him, he had a painful feeling that every one was grinning, and a mad desire to rush out of the house and make straight for his quarters.

“Your aunt is going it,” Captain O’Connor remarked to one of the daughters of the house with whom he was dancing.  “She sets quite an example to us young people.”

The girl laughed.  “She is very peculiar, Captain O’Connor; but it is cruel of you to laugh at her.  I do wish she wouldn’t wear such wonderful headdresses; but she once went to court a good many years ago at Dublin, and somebody told her that her headdress became her, and she has worn plumes ever since.”

“I am not laughing at her, Miss Regan,” O’Connor said gravely; “I am admiring her.  Conway is doing nobly too.”

“I think he looks almost bewildered,” the girl laughed.  “It’s a shame, Captain O’Connor.  I was standing quite close by when you introduced him, and I could see by your face that you were playing a joke upon him.”

“I was performing a kindly action, Miss Regan.  The lad’s young and a little bashful, and I ventured to insinuate to your aunt that he admired her.”

“Well, you shall introduce him to me next,” the girl said.  “I like his looks.”

“Shall I tell him that, Miss Regan?”