CHAPTER XXII.
HOW RYLTON ASKS HIS WIFE TO TREAD A MEASURE WITH HIM, AND HOW THE FATES WEAVE A LITTLE MESH FOR TITA'S PRETTY FEET.
"Will you give me this dance, Tita ?" asks Sir Maurice, going up to his wife.
Tita is standing in a recess near the window.

The window is wide open, and filled at each corner with giant ferns in pots.
"Ye--es," says Tita, with hesitation.
"Of course, if you are engaged----" "That's it, I'm not quite sure." Rylton laughs unpleasantly.
"Oh, if you want to give it to somebody else----" "I don't," returns Tita calmly.

"You dance better than anyone here, except Tom." "Perhaps, then, you wish to reserve it for Tom?
I see you have already danced a good deal with Tom." "It is such a pleasure to dance with him," says she enthusiastically.
"One can see how you regard it." "What do you mean ?" looking at him.

"Have I danced too much with him?
If you imagine----" "I shouldn't presume to imagine.

But this dance, why can't I have it ?" "Well, to tell you the truth, I've lost my card.