"Which is Miss Hetherington?" asked the Oxonian coolly of Alfred.
"Oh, she won't do for us. It is that little chalk-faced girl, dressed in
pink with red roses; the pink of vulgarity and bad taste."
At this both Oxonians laughed arrogantly, and Mrs. Dodd withdrew her hand
from the speaker's arm and glided away behind the throng. Julia looked at
him with marked anxiety. He returned her look, and was sore puzzled what
it meant, till he found Mrs. Dodd had withdrawn softly from him; then he
stood confused, regretting too late he had not obeyed her positive
request, and tried to imitate her dignified forbearance.
The quadrille ended. He instantly stepped forward, and bowing politely to
the cornet, said authoritatively, "Mrs. Dodd sends me to conduct you to
her. With your permission, sir." His arm was offered and taken before the
little warrior knew where he was.
He had her on his arm, soft, light, and fragrant as zephyr, and her cool
breath wooing his neck; oh, the thrill of that moment! but her first word
was to ask him, with considerable anxiety, "Why did mamma leave you?"
"Miss Dodd, I am the most unhappy of men.
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