Primitive as it was in many respects, to Hamlin, long isolated in small frontier posts, the scene was strangely attractive, his imagination responding to the glow of color, the merry chime of voices, the tripping of feet.

The smiling faces flashed past, his ears caught whispered words, his eyes followed the flying figures.

For the moment the man forgot himself in this new environment of thoughtless pleasure.
From among that merry throng of strangers, his eyes soon distinguished that one in whom he felt special interest--Mrs.Dupont, dancing now with McDonald, the rather corpulent Major exhibiting almost youthful agility under the inspiration of music.

The lady talked with animation, as they circled among the others on the floor, her red lips close to her partner's ear, but Hamlin, suspicious and watchful, noted that her eyes were busy elsewhere, scanning the faces.

They swept over him apparently unseeing, but as the two circled swiftly by, the hand resting lightly on the Major's shoulder was uplifted suddenly in a peculiar, suggestive movement.