The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-03-20
I 7.

The dinner to which I was invited was
given by Princess X. who lived in an
apartment on the third floor OF the Ho-
tel 4. She was going to dance that
Eieht-the same that I meant - attend
and the party beforehand would be
she informed me quite small one. con
slstiug only Of myself and few init
mates. 1t so happened that ] was rath-
or late Seeing the door of the lift open
j got in. The darkness had prevented
me from noticing that in one corner
there was something that looked like a
downy ball Of white, with very small
! head coming out Of it. ! would fam
| have beaten a retreat but it was too
| late, the porter stepped in after me, and
we began to ascend.
oh, said the little lady with a gasp.
putting out a small white hand to catch
! hold Of ne ] am afraid that / did not
] attempt to rcassure her. II was all over
| In minute
The lift stopped. I made way for her
| 20 get out. She turned round to me,
smiling and blushing.
81 beg your pardon" she said. 81 never
have been in one before. It's so unlike
anything eIse-when you are not accus-
toned. ] suppose YOU also are going to
dine with Marraine?"
81 have not the pleasure of calling the
Princess X Marianne" l replied. but If
=
godchild, We are bound for one destina-
ton. Allow me 70 ring the bell,''
As she passed into the hall, the clearer
light zhoue for moment on her soft
brown curls, and glanced, reflected in
her mirthful eyes.
We entered the drawing-room almost
AT the same moment. As the princess
rose 10 make rs acquainted. she laughed
again and said quickly:
NO, no. Marianne. it is too late. / was
! introduced by the life. as the greatest
coward this gentleman has ever known,
quite three minutes ago"
Tho princess took her hand
"Wellt well" she said. twas there ever
such a naughty debutante? It is Il pity.
as you took each other up 50 pleasantly,
that Won cannot take each other down
also. Bot there I must Interfere"
lit IS cruel Of YOU. princess. Fate was
much kinder But turned to the
younger lady-''may ] presume to ask
| your hand for the first dance?"
You may she said merrily; but
/ hope YOU know what you are asking, It
| is the first dance that I have ever given
/ anyone"
where is your father?" asked the
princess
kept at home by a letter from the
| prime minister. lie begs that you will
| excuse him; for nothing else would he
/ nave Et!l UP TINS party lie Is coming
/ later on, 10 take me home / hope he will
not come till very late indeed. if that is
! all he cares for, He did not feel sure
/ that II was meet for me TO go out to din
! ner alone. even 10 the house Of my god
mother but he said that he did not want
! 70 disappoint YOU. and / think" sh. put
! in. candidly, though very demurely. he
/ did not want to disappoint me, either
should have died Of veXatiou if l had had
/ 10 stay al home"
The princess laughed.
That makes IT serious. And seriously.
my love. you are quite right Unless one
! is dead or dying. one should keep ones
! dinner engagement And, while I think
! % it," she added, addressing herself TO
me. II must positively engage you TO dine
j with me tomorrow ! expect the prime
J minister, and / cannot be left alone TO
! entertain him. Eight o'clock do you
! hear2 lie will have TO leave early, 50
! mind YOU are in timei'
ITO hear is TO obey. Unless / am dead
/ or dying, l VIII keep my dinner crgage-
/ menl."
Il think ] am sure of you, then. you
/ never looked better in your life
Dinner is on the table" said the Prin-
/ cess butler.
The ground floor Of the hotel had been
| engaged FOR the dance. The iiddlcs were
! already striking up when /, in company
! with the other gentlemen Of the party,
! entered tc room. My promised partner
| was Standing beside the Princess, busy
| inscribing the names Of various aspirants
on her card. ] thought she might be bet
! ter employed inscribing mine, and said
] SO. She gave me the card, and / availed
/ myself OF the few vacant spaces that ap-
/ pearCd on IT,
quick, quick" she cried There is
the music! Are you not longing To be
of p
| Dancing varies inversely as the charac-
ter Of the lady who dances. With her it
/ resembled nothing so much rs fight. She
| scarcely seemed to touch the ground with
! her feet. She was ms light as one of the