Dance succeeded dance; the refreshment-room was visited in the
intervals; and, as the various couples passed the musicians, scraps of
their conversation told, from time to time, how great a success the ball
was considered to be; while, among the faces, all looked bright and
animated except two--those of Dick and Lieutenant Lacey--who, between
the dances, came by the orchestra several times to attend to the two
ladies seated near, but more often to the elderly lady alone.
For the big, handsome Adonis of the regiment was by no means happy. He
told himself that he was not in the least jealous; but he had
anticipated taking the lady of his choice in to supper and been thwarted
by that lady's aunt, who had said, sweetly:
"I shall expect you to take me in to supper, Lieutenant Lacey. Sir Mark
Frayne has kindly said that he will see to my niece."
As for Dick, he worked hard at his task, and tried to think of nothing
else but the waltzes, polkas, and quadrilles; and, consequently, thought
of them hardly at all, but of the handsome young officer in scarlet, who
came again and again to where the Deanes were seated--the last time just
as supper was announced, at the break between the two divisions of the
music.
"Almost a pity to stop the dances," said Mark, as he offered his arm to
Miss Deane. And Dick saw that the lady darted a deprecating look at
Lacey, who offered his arm to the aunt, and joined in the long line of
dancers trooping out to the great marquee, now opened for the first time
by the drawing back of the heavy drapery which had hidden the interior
from the guests.
For the officers had determined that there should be no scrambled-for,
stand-up supper, but a comfortably-arranged meal, with seats for every
guest; while now a hurried movement was made by the band to a fresh
orchestra inside the marquee, which was reached by a ladder from the
back, and a selection of operatic airs was commenced at once to the
rattle of knife, fork, and plate, and jingle of glass.
The marquee was soon crowded; and from high up where he stood Dick had a
good view of the prettiest part of the scene; while, as he played, his
eyes wandered round and round in search of Mark, to find, after a time,
that he had overlooked him: for he was seated with Miss Deane, almost
below and to the right, while Lacey was with the aunt on the other side
of the table--one of the four which reached from end to end.
Once he had made out where they were, Dick could hardly keep his eyes
off his cousin, who was evidently, to the lady's annoyance, making
himself far too attentive; while, more than once, it was plain to see
from Lacey's lowering countenance that a storm was brewing.
But Lacey was a steward for the occasion, and more than once servants
came up to him for orders and instructions; while Jerry, who was busily
seeing to the wants of those at that end of the table, was also going
about, apparently with messages to the colonel and major.
"What an abominable smell of gas!" said Wilkins, after a piece or two
had been played.
"Yes, sir; I noticed it as we came up here first."
"Humph! the pipes not properly joined, I suppose," said Wilkins. "Play
the next."
Then a selection from Sullivan's operas was played, but half-drowned by
the noise from the tables.
"This gas is suffocating up here," said the bandmaster, calling
attention to it again.
"Yes, sir; I wonder they don't grumble down below."
"Humph! all up here, and along the upper part of the tent," grumbled the
bandmaster; and then his attention was taken off by the appearance of
Jerry through the curtain of canvas opening upon the orchestra.
"Lieutenant Lacey, sir, says the band needn't play no more during
supper; and there's refreshments all ready in the little tent outside."
"Oh, thanks!" cried Wilkins. "Bring your instruments and music, and
then we needn't come up here again before we go to the ball-room.
Halloa! you smell it?"
"Yes, sir," said Jerry, who had been sniffing loudly. "Someone's been
turning on the gas here, and no mistake! Temp'ry pipes, I suppose."
"Doesn't it smell down below?"
"Yes, I did notice it a bit, sir, all along the tables; but nothing like
this."
"Never mind; let's get out of it. Soon blow away."
Wilkins set the example, and hurried out and down the step-ladder, which
took them outside, and, followed by the bandsmen, he made for the little
tent where their supper was laid.
They had to pass the end of the great marquee, and Dick and Jerry, who
were last, paused, while the latter drew the drapery a little on one
side, holding it back before letting it fall after him.
"I must get back to my table, sir," he said. "Like a peep from here?"
Dick nodded and stood at the opening, gazing along the marquee toward
the opening into the mess-room at the other end, the effect being very
beautiful, with the long row of gaseliers and the vista of flags and red
and white striped drapery running up to the narrow ridge of the roof.
But Dick saw nothing of this; his eyes sought the group right at the
other end beneath the little elevated orchestra he had just left, and he
was just making out where his cousin sat when there was a flash like
sheet-lightning running along the upper part of the canvas, reaching
from end to end. He felt himself thrust violently back, as he seemed to
be struck with something heavy and soft; then there was a deep, dull
report, as of thunder, and all was dark, while from where the marquee
had stood there came wild shrieks, cries for help, and a strange babel
of sounds, which, issuing from beneath what in the darkness looked like
a chaotic sea, were for the most part smothered and strange.