“Good-by,” said Joel with a smile as cheery, for he really liked her the best of all Polly’s girl friends.

After the dance, supper was announced, and everybody marched out to the supper room; the dancers with their partners following.

“Will you allow me?” Mr. Alstyne seeing the movement, got out of his chair and offered his arm to Polly with a courtly bow.

“Oh! don’t think of me, sir,” she began, blushing very hard.  “Joel will look out for me.”

“I much prefer waiting upon Miss Polly Pepper to any other lady in the room,” said Mr. Alstyne, with another bow, courtlier than the first, “since Mrs. Alstyne is provided for.  See, Polly, Mr. King is taking her out.  And your mother has her cavalier, in Mr. Cabot; and Mrs. Whitney has already gone out with Mr. Fairfax.  So if you don’t accept my services, I shall be entirely left out in the cold.”  He stood offering his arm, and Polly, laughing merrily, put her hand within it.

“It’s very good of you, sir,” she said simply, as they fell into step and joined the procession.

“I’m afraid if you had trusted to Joel’s tender mercies, you would have fared hardly,” said Mr. Alstyne, laughing.  “Look, Polly, over yonder in the corner.”  They were just passing into the supper room, and now caught sight of Joel chatting away to a very pretty little creature, in blue and white, as busily and unconcernedly as if he had done that sort of thing for years.

“Why!” cried Polly quite aghast, “that can’t be Joel.  He just hates girls, you know, Mr. Alstyne, and never goes to parties.”

“He seems to be able to endure it all very well to-night,” said her companion dryly.  “Shall I get you an ice, Miss Polly?”

“Yes, thank you,” said Polly absently, not being able to take her eyes from Joel and his friend.  At last, by the force of attraction, he turned and looked at her.  But instead of showing self-consciousness, his round eyes surveyed her coolly, while he went on talking and laughing with the little blue-and-white thing.

“Polly, Polly,” exclaimed Alexia Rhys, hurrying up, while Jasper was storming the supper table for her, “do look at Joel Pepper!  He actually brought in a girl to supper!”

“I see,” said Polly, gazing at the two in a fascinated way.

“On the other hand,” said Alexia, sending swift, bird-like glances around the supper room, “there are Van and Percy moping off by themselves as if they hadn’t a friend in the world.  What a pity; they used to be so lively at parties.”

Polly wrenched her gaze away from the astonishing sight on which it had been fixed, and following Alexia’s glance, took a keen look over at the young Whitneys.  “Oh! oh!  I must go to them,” she cried remorsefully.  “Tell Mr. Alstyne, please, when he comes back, where I am,” and without another word she dashed back of some gaily dressed ladies just entering the supper room, and was out of the door.