It was real elegant of Mr.Cellini to send them all fixed up ready like that, fan and all.

You must be a favourite of his!" "Come, let us proceed," I answered, with some abruptness.

"We are losing time." In a few seconds more we entered the ballroom, and were met at once by Madame Didier, who, resplendent in black lace and diamonds, gave us hearty greeting.

She stared at me with unaffected amazement.
"Mon dieu!" she exclaimed--her conversation with us was always a mixture of French and broken English--"I should not 'ave know zis young lady again! She 'ave si bonne mine.

You veel dance, sans doute ?" We readily assented, and the usual assortment of dancing-men of all ages and sizes was brought forward for our inspection; while the Colonel, being introduced to a beaming English girl of some seventeen summers, whirled her at once into the merry maze of dancers, who were spinning easily round to the lively melody of one of Strauss's most fascinating waltzes.