“How well I recall this day, eighteen years ago, Richard,” she said.  “And how proud your dear mother was that she had given a son to Captain Jack.  She had prayed for a son.  I hope you will always do your parents credit, my dear boy.  They were both dear, dear friends of mine.”

My Aunt Caroline’s harsher voice interrupted her.

“Gadzooks, ma’am!” she cried, as she approached us, “I have never in my life laid eyes upon such beauty as your daughter’s.  You will have to take her home, Mrs. Manners, to do her justice.  You owe it her, ma’am.  Come, nephew, off with you, and head the minuet with Miss Dolly!”

My grandfather was giving the word to the fiddlers.  But whether a desire to cross my aunt held me back, or a sense of duty to greet the guests not already come, or a vague intuition of some impending news drawn from Mrs. Manners and Dorothy, I know not.  Mr. Fitzhugh was easily persuaded to take my place, and presently I slipped unnoticed into a shaded seat on the side of the upper terrace, whence I could see the changing figures on the green.  And I thought of the birthday festivals Dolly and I had spent here, almost since we were of an age to walk.  Wet June days, when the broad wings of the house rang with the sound of silver laughter and pattering feet, and echoed with music from the hall; and merry June days, when the laughter rippled among the lilacs, and pansies and poppies and sweet peas were outshone by bright gowns and brighter faces.  And then, as if to complete the picture of the past, my eye fell upon our mammies modestly seated behind the group of older people, Aunt Hester and Aunt Lucy, their honest, black faces aglow with such unselfish enjoyment as they alone could feel.

How easily I marked Dorothy among the throng!

Other girls found it hard to compress the spirits of youth within the dignity of a minuet, and thought of the childish romp of former years.  Not so my lady.  Long afterwards I saw her lead a ball with the first soldier and gentleman of the land, but on that Tuesday she carried herself full as well, so well that his Excellency and the gentlemen about him applauded heartily.  As the strains died away and the couples moved off among the privet-lined paths, I went slowly down the terrace.  Dorothy had come up to speak to her mother, Dr. Courtenay lingering impatient at her side.  And though her colour glowed deeper, and the wind had loosed a wisp of her hair, she took his Excellency’s compliments undisturbed.  Colonel Sharpe, our former governor, who now made his home in the province, sat beside him.

“Now where a-deuce were you, Richard?” said he.  “You have missed as pleasing a sight as comes to a man in a lifetime.  Why were you not here to see Miss Manners tread a minuet?  My word!  Terpsichore herself could scarce have made it go better.”

“I saw the dance, sir, from a safe distance,” I replied.

“I’ll warrant!” said he, laughing, while Dolly shot me a wayward glance from under her long lashes.  “I’ll warrant your eyes were fast on her from beginning to end.  Come, sir, confess!”