‘Hazel,’ said Phinny Powder, ’we are going to run this concern into a German as soon as it has run long enough in its own name.  I am so glad you are here; and in blue.  Keep near me, won’t you, because it’ll just set me off, and some dresses kill me.’

‘How can she keep near you, you giddy creature?’ said Mme. Lasalle.  ‘Hazel’ (whispering), ’Stuart bade me engage you to lead the German with him.  May I tell him you will?’

‘O Hazel,’ cried Josephine again, ’we are going to have such fun.  Kitty is going to let us into some new figures, and they are considerably jolly, I tell you!’

‘Are they?’ said Hazel.  ’But the music comes first, Mme. Lasalle, and I may not stay for the German.  And I have promised the first walk to Mr. May.’

‘Not stay for the German!’—­’Not stay for the German?’ was echoed in so many various tones of despair that it had to be answered again.

‘I only said I might not,’ said Wych Hazel.  ’Good evening, Mr. May.’—­And Miss Kennedy swept off, to the opening burst of music from the band.

Now there are other sounds besides music at a promenade concert, and many things not strictly harmonious are said and done under cover of its trombones and violins.  Wych Hazel indeed walked unremittingly,—­it suited her mood that night; but many sat and talked, very regardless of the music, and not too mindful of other ears.  And so after a while a group gathered round Kitty Fisher, to discuss the coming German and pick up a few hints touching the promised new figures.  Wych Hazel had just passed, escorted on either hand:  her dark-blue robe and white laces setting her off to perfection.  For a minute eyes alone were busy.

‘That girl provokes me to death with her high dresses!’ said Kitty Fisher.  ‘Such ridiculous nonsense!’

‘I’m not so sure as to that,’ said Miss May.  ’Dick raves about it.’

‘Dick raves about her altogether,’ said Kitty,—­’so of course he has to include her dress.’

’Well, George said that other shoulders might as well retire if her’s ever came fairly out,’ said little Molly Seaton, who was taking her first sips of society, and looked up to Miss Kennedy as the eighth and ninth wonder of the world combined.

‘I don’t care,’ said Kitty Fisher, ’I’ll have ’em out!  I vow I will.  It’s a fraud on society.’

‘Society can afford to be a loser now and then,’ said Mr. Kingsland, softly insinuating himself among the ladies;—­’it gets so much more than its due between whiles!’

‘It’s prudish,’ said Phinny, disregarding this sentiment,—­ ’that’s what it is.  Do you suppose it’s that old wretch of a guardian keeps her in leading strings?  Now she talks of not staying to the German.’

‘The Sorceress is in one of her moods to-night,’ said Mr. Kingsland.  ’Murky.  Flashes coming so thick and fast, that I declare I’ve been winking all the evening.’

‘Stephen,’ said Miss Kitty, ’if you’ll help get up the “Handkerchief” by and by, and get her into the thick of it before she knows where she’s going, I’ll give you the first pair of blue gloves I can spare.’