“Oh, no; I shall invite you.  Of course, you don’t move exactly in my circle, but, at any rate, you dress decently.”

If Sam Noble had had proper pride he would have resented the insolent assumption of superiority in this speech, but he was content to play second fiddle to Randolph Duncan.  His family, like himself, were ambitious to be on good terms with the leading families in the village, and did not mind an occasional snub.

“Shall you invite Tom Harper?” he asked.

He felt a little jealous of Tom, who had vied with him in flattering attentions to Randolph.

“No, I don’t think so.  Tom isn’t here, is he?”

“He received an invitation, but ever since his accident he has been troubled with severe headaches, and I suppose that keeps him away.”

“He isn’t up to my standard,” said Randolph, consequentially.  “He comes of a low family.”

“You and he have been together a good deal.”

“Oh, I have found him of some service, but I have paid for it.”

Yet this was the boy who, at his own personal risk, had obtained for Randolph the prize at the skating-match.  Privately, Sam thought Randolph ungrateful, but he was, nevertheless, pleased at having distanced Tom in the favor of the young aristocrat.

After an hour, spent in various amusements, one of the company took her place at the piano, and dancing began.

“Now is your time, Luke,” said Linton.  “Secure a partner.  It is only a quadrille.”

“I feel a little nervous,” said Luke.  “Perhaps I had better wait till the second dance.”

“Oh, nonsense!  Don’t be afraid.”

Meanwhile, Randolph, with a great flourish, had invited Florence to dance.

“Thank you,” she answered, taking his arm.

Randolph took his place with her as head couple.  Linton and Annie Comray faced them.  To Randolph’s amazement, Luke and Fanny Pratt took their places as one of the side couples.  Randolph, who was aware that Luke had never taken lessons, remarked this with equal surprise and disgust.  His lip curled as he remarked to his partner:  “Really, I didn’t know that Luke Larkin danced.”

“Nor I,” answered Florence.

“I am sorry he is in our set.”

“Why?” asked Florence, regarding him attentively.

“He will probably put us out by his clownish performance.”

“Wouldn’t it be well to wait and see whether he does or not?” responded Florence, quietly.

Randolph shrugged his shoulders.

“I pity his partner, at any rate,” he said.

“I can’t join in any such conversation about one of my guests,” said Florence, with dignity.

Here the first directions were given, and the quadrille commenced.