She does not respond, so he finally sends his wife to press the
invitation. The girl, not dreaming of the net that is being woven about
her, promises that if her pastor does not disapprove she will attend.
Her pastor _does not disapprove_. He tells her that he sees no harm in
dancing.

Why does he not see harm in dancing? Has he never been where he _could_
see?

She takes it for granted that he _knows_, and acting on his advice
attends the school. She is met at the door by the dancing master, who is
very polite and so kindly attentive.

The society man who is plotting her ruin is the first person presented
to her. He is a graceful dancer and makes the evening pass pleasantly
for her, by his kind attentions and praise of her grace in dancing, and
when the school is dismissed he escorts her home, which courtesy she
accepts, because the dancing master vouches for him, and she thinks that
is sufficient. He continues his attentions, and finally invites her to
attend, with him, a grand full dress ball to be given at one of the
principal hotels. She has never attended a grand ball in her life, and
looks forward to this with the greatest pleasure.

The evening at last arrives. Her escort calls for her in an elegant
carriage. She looks more beautiful than ever in her pretty, modest
evening dress, and he says to himself, "Ah, my Greek Goddess, I shall
have the 'belle of the ball' for my victim to-night."

As they enter the ball-room she is quite charmed and dazzled by its
splendor and the gaiety of the scene, which is so novel to her.