“I am grieved to hear it, Mr. Sherwood; I will endeavor to atone for it at some future time,” and with a few parting words he left the house.  Very pretty was the picture that the young girls made, as they fluttered about the rooms helping each other to put the finishing touches to their toilets.  Gussie’s pink and white complexion looked lovelier than ever when set off with a suit in which pale blue and white lace formed the chief parts.  Dexie seemed like a gleam of summer sunshine as she fluttered here and there; her pretty suit had been draped with some gauzy material, that glistened and sparkled as the light fell through its folds.  The long sleeves had been replaced by short lace ones, trimmed to match the pretty lace bertha, and the long handsome gloves quite completed her costume.

“There, I believe we are all ready at last,” said Dexie, as she picked up her neglected flowers.  “Let me fasten this cluster of rosebuds in your belt, Cora, as the finishing touch; then I will make a boutonniere for Lancy’s coat.”

“Why, Dexie, you are spoiling your bouquet!” and Cora seized her hand.  “I cannot rob you of your flowers.”

“But you will take them as a gift, Cora, since they are so beautiful.  It would be a pity not to use them.  I do not intend to carry them, for I want no flowers from Mr. Ross.”

“But perhaps Mr. Ross will not be pleased if you give your flowers away,” said Gussie, holding her own bouquet daintily to her nose.

“I fancy that his pleasure or displeasure will not affect me,” and an angry gleam brightened her eyes.  “I merely accepted them as a peace-offering which binds me for this night only.  If the flowers help to make someone else entrancing, they will fulfil their mission as well as if I carried them.”

“Well, if we are all ready let us go down and show ourselves to our private families before we try to charm the eyes and ears of the public,” said Cora.  “Your parents are in the parlor, Dexie; go and make your best bow, before you put on your wraps; Gussie, do likewise,” and Cora gave a sweeping look over their figures.  “Why, Dexie!” she added, “are you not going to wear any jewelry after all?” and she pointed to the case she had opened for Dexie’s selection.

“Please, if you don’t mind, I would rather not.  I feel dressed enough.”

“So you are, Dexie,” Lancy exclaimed, coming to the door at this moment.  “Flashing jewels could not improve you, for you look stunning already.  But the horses are waiting in the cold, while you girls are admiring yourselves.”

With that they ran down the stairs, all except Dexie, who turned to the dressing-table in search of a pin, and as they left the room Lancy came hastily towards her.

“Oh! is it you, Lancy?  I have saved some flowers for you.  Shall I pin them on?”

As she did so, Lancy slipped his arm around her, and his admiring eyes confirmed the words that fell from his lips.  “You are beautiful to-night, Dexie.  You need not fear any audience with those brilliant eyes and cherry lips.  You will win all hearts, as you have mine.”