There came the firm tread of a man's feet outside the door, and it swung
open. Eustace entered with his air of high confidence.

"Ah, Stumpy, there you are! I want you. Well, Miss Bathurst, what about
to-night?"

She faced him bravely from Isabel's side. "I've promised to go to bed
early, as usual," she said.

"What? You're not dancing?" She saw his ready frown. "Well, you will come
and look on anyway. Isabel, you must show for once."

He spoke imperiously. Isabel looked up. "I am sorry, Eustace. It is out
of the question," she said coldly. "Both Dinah and I are retiring early
in preparation for to-morrow."

He bit his lip. "This is too bad. Miss Bathurst, don't you want to come
down? It's for the last time."

Dinah hesitated, and Scott came quietly to her rescue.

"She is being prudent against her own inclination, old chap. Don't make
it hard for her!"

"What a confounded shame!" said Eustace.

"No, no, it isn't!" said Dinah. "It is quite right. I am not going to
think any more about it."

He laughed with a touch of mockery. "Which means you will probably think