Nora was besieged with admirers, who solicited her hand for the dance.  But to one and all she returned a negative.  She was tired with her long walk, and would not dance, at least not this set; she preferred to sit still and watch the others.  So at last she was left to her chosen occupation.  She had sat thus but a few moments, her eyes lovingly following the flying forms of Reuben and Hannah through the mazes of the dance, her heart rejoicing in their joy, when a soft voice murmured at her ear.

“Sitting quite alone, Nora?  How is that?  The young men have not lost their wits, I hope?”

She started, looked up, and with a vivid blush recognized her young landlord.  He was bending over her with the same sweet ingenuous smile that had greeted her when their eyes first met that morning.  She drooped the long, dark lashes over her eyes until they swept her carmine cheeks, but she did not answer.

“I have just deposited my mother and sisters in their drawing-room, and I have returned to look at the dancers.  May I take this seat left vacant by your sister?” he asked.

“Certainly you may, sir,” she faltered forth, trembling with, a vague delight.

“How much they enjoy themselves—­do they not?” he asked, as he took the seat and looked upon the dancers with a benevolent delight that irradiated his fair, youthful countenance.

“Oh, indeed they do, sir,” said Nora, unconsciously speaking more from her own personal experience of present happiness than from her observation of others.

I wish I could arrive at my majority every few weeks, or else have some other good excuse for giving a great feast.  I do so love to see people happy, Nora.  It is the greatest pleasure I have in the world.”

“Yet you must have a great many other pleasures, sir; all wealthy people must,” said Nora, gaining courage to converse with one so amiable as she found her young landlord.

“Yes, I have many others; but the greatest of all is the happiness of making others happy.  But why are you not among these dancers, Nora?”

“I was tired with my long walk up and down hill and dale.  So I would not join them this set.”

“Are you engaged for the next?”

“No, sir.”

“Then be my partner for it, will you?”

“Oh, sir!” And the girl’s truthful face flashed with surprise and delight.

“Will you dance with me, then, for the next set?”

“Yes, sir, please.”

“Thank you, Nora.  But now tell me, did you recollect me as well as I remembered you?”

“No, sir.”

“But that is strange; for I knew you again the instant I saw you.”

“But, sir, you know I was but a baby when you went away?”

“That is true.”

“But how, then, did you know me again?” she wonderingly inquired.