“If you do I will never speak to you again.”

As soon as the dance was over Captain O’Connor strolled up with his partner to the spot where Miss Tabitha was fanning herself violently, Ralph standing helplessly alongside.

“That was a charming dance, Miss Regan.  You surpassed yourself.  Let me recommend a slight refreshment; will you allow me to offer you my arm?  Miss Regan, allow me to introduce my brother-officer, Mr. Conway.”

Ralph, who had not caught the name, bowed to the girl thus left suddenly beside him and offered her his arm.

“Why, you look warm already, Mr. Conway,” she began.

“Warm is no word for it,” Ralph said bluntly.  “Did you see that wonderful old lady I have been dancing with?”

“That is my aunt, Mr. Conway; but she is rather wonderful all the same.”

Ralph had thought before that he was as hot as it was possible for a man to be; but he found now that he was mistaken.

“I beg your pardon,” he stammered.  “I did not catch your name; but of course I oughtn’t to have said anything.”

“I wonder you didn’t see the likeness,” the girl said demurely.  “My aunt considers there is a great likeness between us.”

“I am sure I cannot see it the least bit in the world,” Ralph said emphatically; “not the smallest.  But I hope you forgive me for that unfortunate remark; but the fact is, I felt a little bewildered at the time.  I am not much of a dancer, and your aunt is really so energetic that I had to exert myself to the utmost to keep up with her.”

“I think you did admirably, Mr. Conway.  We quite admired you both.  There,” she said laughing at Ralph’s confusion, “you need not be afraid about my not forgiving you for the remark.  Everyone knows that Aunt Tabitha and we girls never get on very well together; and she does make herself dreadfully ridiculous, and I think it was too bad of Captain O’Connor putting you up with her.”

“Thank you, Miss Regan,” Ralph said earnestly.  “The fact is I haven’t joined long, and I don’t care much for parties.  You see, I have only left school a few months, and haven’t got accustomed to talk to ladies yet; and O’Connor—­who is always up to some fun or other—­did it just to cure what he calls my shyness.  However, I can quite forgive him now.”

“I don’t think you are so very shy, Mr. Conway,” Miss Regan said with a smile.  “That last sentence was very pretty, and if I had not hold of your arm I should make you a courtesy.”

“No, please don’t do that,” Ralph said, coloring hotly.  “I didn’t mean anything, you know.”

“Now, don’t spoil it.  You meant I suppose, what was quite proper you should mean, that Captain O’Connor by introducing me to you had made up for his last delinquency.”

“Yes, that is what I did mean,” Ralph agreed.

“Captain O’Connor tells me that you have been through all sorts of adventures, Mr. Conway—­been carried off by a French privateer, and taken to a pirate island, and done all sorts of things.”