"I hope my slippers haven't damaged
the piano."
"The piano is harder than my heart if they haven't!"
She gave a sly twitch at a hairpin.
"That is very pretty," observed she, giving her head a shake that
brought her hair down in a rolling billow. "Oh, dear! Now my hair has"--
Before she could finish he had dropped her fingers, and gathered her
hair in both hands, kissing it again and again.
"Mr. Rangely!" she exclaimed. "What do you mean?"
For reply he stooped to her foot, and kissed the mesh-clad instep
fervidly.
"How dare you!" she cried, scrambling down hastily without his
assistance.
But, alas, even trickery is not always successful in this uncertain
world! The hold of the piano upon the hem of her gown was stronger
than she realized. She tripped and stumbled, half-hung for a second,
and then dropped in an inglorious heap at the feet of the man she
wished to humiliate.
Elsie was on her feet in a minute. She did not take the hand which
Rangely extended, but drew back, her eyes sparkling with rage.
"Oh, you find it laughable, do you?" she cried. "A gentleman would at
least have concealed his amusement!"
He grew suddenly grave, and seemed not a little surprised.
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