“Oh!  Why should you think that?”

“Perhaps you’re married already.”

“Oh no, I’m not,” he said earnestly.  “You’re not, either, are you?”

“Me?” she asked; then, with a barely perceptible pause, she said, “Of course I am.”

The thought of posing as the married woman she theoretically was, flashed upon her suddenly and appealed irresistibly to her sense of fun.  The recollection that the nature of the ring on her finger was concealed by her glove afforded her supplementary amusement.

“Oh!” was all he said.  “I didn’t catch your name exactly.”

“I didn’t catch yours,” she replied evasively.

“David Brandon,” he said readily.

“It’s a pretty name,” she said, turning smilingly to him.  The infinite possibilities of making fun of him latent in the joke quite warmed her towards him.  “How unfortunate for me I have destroyed my chance of getting it.”

It was the first time she had smiled, and he liked the play of light round the curves of her mouth, amid the shadows of the soft dark skin, in the black depths of the eyes.

“How unfortunate for me!” he said, smiling in return.

“Oh yes, of course!” she said with a little toss of her head.  “There is no danger in saying that now.”

“I wouldn’t care if there was.”

“It is easy to smooth down the serpent when the fangs are drawn,” she laughed back.

“What an extraordinary comparison!” he exclaimed.  “But where are all the people going?  It isn’t all over, I hope.”

“Why, what do you want to stay for?  You’re not dancing.”

“That is the reason.  Unless I dance with you.”

“And then you would want to go?” she flashed with mock resentment.

“I see you’re too sharp for me,” he said lugubriously.  “Roughing it among the Boers makes a fellow a bit dull in compliments.”

“Dull indeed!” said Hannah, drawing herself up with great seriousness.  “I think you’re more complimentary than you have a right to be to a married woman.”

His face fell.  “Oh, I didn’t mean anything,” he said apologetically.

“So I thought,” retorted Hannah.

The poor fellow grew more red and confused than ever.  Hannah felt quite sympathetic with him now, so pleased was she at the humiliated condition to which she had brought the young man from the Cape.

“Well, I’ll say good-bye,” he said awkwardly.  “I suppose I mustn’t ask to take you down to supper.  I dare say your husband will want that privilege.”

“I dare say,” replied Hannah smiling.  “Although husbands do not always appreciate their privileges.”

“I shall be glad if yours doesn’t,” he burst forth.

“Thank you for your good wishes for my domestic happiness,” she said severely.

“Oh, why will you misconstrue everything I say?” he pleaded.  “You must think me an awful Schlemihl, putting my foot into it so often.  Anyhow I hope I shall meet you again somewhere.”