Then I discovered that my life was not blighted for ever.
Dorice was smiling upon me--yes, smiling! She leant forward eagerly and
touched my hand.
"_You've been to Naughton Hall!_" she whispered delightedly; "but, my
dear old boy, it's simply _the_ dance of the season round here! All
these people would do anything to get invited. The Perrys only gave this
dance so that they could use it as a sort of excuse for not being seen
at the Naughton Hall one!"
"Anybody could have gone in my place," I murmured; "I didn't enjoy it at
all."
Dorice got up and took hold of my arm.
"Come on," she said with suppressed excitement, "this is splendid!"
She took me through a crowd of people and introduced me to Mr. and Mrs.
Perry.
Then she raised her voice.
"He's sorry to be so late," she apologised as loudly as possible, "but
you see he was forced to look in at the Naughton Hall ball. However, he
got away as soon as he could and came on to us."
Mrs. Perry received me almost with open arms.
"We must try and find you some really good partners," she announced
enthusiastically.
"_Rather!_" echoed Mr. Perry.
It was then close upon midnight. For the two hours of the dance that
remained I was the man of the evening.
* * * * *
[Illustration: WHAT LANCASHIRE THINKS.
_Old Lancashire Lady_ (_to young lady friend who has expressed her
intention of going by an excursion to the Metropolis_). "DOAN'T THEE GOA
TO LONDON; THEE STOP IN OWD ENGLAND."]
* * * * *
Rumoured Mutiny in the Navy.
"The destroyers patrolling the Irish coast are being boarded and
searched for rifles by order of the Admiralty."--_Daily Express._
* * * * *
[Illustration: _Little Maid_ (_to new owner of country cottage_) "OH, IF
YOU PLEASE, SIR, HERE'S THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LITTLE CHIPPINGHAM AND WEST
HAMBLETON STREET LIGHTING COMMITTEE." (_Confidentially_) "IT'S REALLY
ONLY MR. BINKS, THE BUTCHER."]
* * * * *