“How many of you dance?” inquired the lieutenant.

“Two of us,” answered Hal.  “I don’t.”

“Mr. Farnum, I must introduce you to an agreeable partner,” urged the Navy officer.  “Who shall it be?  I know most of the ladies here.”

“Don’t think me a bear, Mr. Featherstone, but I don’t believe I’ll dance to-night, though I thank you tremendously,” replied the shipbuilder.

“Then, Benson, you must uphold the honor of your party,” laughed the lieutenant, linking his arm in Jack’s and drawing him forward.

Captain Benson’s next dance was with a California girl; after that he led out a jolly young woman from New York.  As he left the latter partner, Mlle. Nadiboff, on the arm of a gentleman, passed close enough to murmur: 

“Captain, you are neglecting me—­and I have saved the next, a waltz, for you.”

Not being engaged for that waltz, Jack could hardly do, otherwise than claim it.  Indeed, he greatly enjoyed dancing with this gracious, handsome young woman.  Yet, soon after he had taken Mlle. Nadiboff to her seat, and another partner appeared to claim her favor, Benson slipped away.

“Go after Captain Benson, I beg of you, and bring him back here for a moment,” requested the young woman of her new partner.  That gentleman obeyed, even if with a poor grace.  Jack returned, bowing, while the gentleman walked away a few feet.

“Captain, you are a stranger here at Spruce Beach?” murmured Mlle. Nadiboff, directing the full gaze of her luminous eyes at Jack’s.

“Yes, truly.”

“I go motoring at eleven in the morning.  I shall expect you here, at that hour, to drive with me.”

Jack looked as regretful as he felt.

“I’m very, very sorry, Mademoiselle” he replied.  “But I am here on duty, and—­”

“Duty?” she interrupted, with a light laugh.  “And pray what is duty, Captain, but a something with which to flavor our pleasures in life?”

“With me, Mlle. Nadiboff,” Jack Benson replied, earnestly, “duty is everything, pleasure included.”

“I am not accustomed to having my commands disregarded,” exclaimed the young woman, though in a low tone, while her eyes flashed some of her displeasure.

“You are giving me pain, Mademoiselle,” Jack responded, gravely.  “Perhaps, at another time—­”

“Enough sir!” the young woman interposed.  “And now I behold my next partner glancing this way appealingly.  I shall speak with you the next time we meet, Captain.”

Jack bowed, withdrawing.  Making his way around the ballroom, he dropped into a seat beside Mr. Farnum.

Even before Mlle. Nadiboff’s partner could rejoin her, M. Lemaire appeared around a palm at Mlle. Nadiboff’s back as naturally as though he had not been playing the eavesdropper.

“Have a care, Sara,” he whispered, mockingly, “or you will fail in making a fool of that young fellow!”