"'How charming you are looking to-night,' it remarked in its thin, far-
away voice. 'What a lovely day it has been. Do you like dancing? How
well our steps agree. You will give me another, won't you? Oh, don't be
so cruel. What a charming gown you have on. Isn't waltzing delightful?
I could go on dancing for ever--with you. Have you had supper?'
"As she grew more familiar with the uncanny creature, the girl's
nervousness wore off, and she entered into the fun of the thing.
"'Oh, he's just lovely,' she cried, laughing, 'I could go on dancing with
him all my life.'
"Couple after couple now joined them, and soon all the dancers in the
room were whirling round behind them. Nicholaus Geibel stood looking on,
beaming with childish delight at his success,
"Old Wenzel approached him, and whispered something in his ear. Geibel
laughed and nodded, and the two worked their way quietly towards the
door.
"'This is the young people's house to-night,' said Wenzel, as soon as
they were outside; 'you and I will have a quiet pipe and a glass of hock,
over in the counting-house.'
"Meanwhile the dancing grew more fast and furious. Little Annette
loosened the screw regulating her partner's rate of progress, and the
figure flew round with her swifter and swifter.
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