Why
don't she lay on her colours a little more artistically?"
"Oh, she doesn't lay them on, they're natural."
"Well, Lena, you should not be so quick to notice and comment upon
natural defects. Not one of us is free from them, and it is
uncharitable and unkind to make them the subject of remark."
Thus silenced and put in the wrong the young lady ventured nothing
further.
"Edward," said Helene, later in the evening, "really you ought to
dance with somebody else. There are dozens of charming girls here."
"Which dozen did you wish me to dance with?"
"Don't be nonsensical, please. Haven't you any preference?"
"Oh, decidedly, yes." He glanced at a _petite_ maiden, whose figure
and movements were light and fairy-like. "But I'm afraid she would
refuse me."
"I don't think she would."
"That isn't sufficient. My vanity is painfully sensitive to the
smallest danger of slight."
The fairy-like person had unconsciously assumed an appreciative, not
to say sympathetic, expression. Helene smiled. "Your fears are very
becoming to your youth and modesty, but I think I may go so far as to
say I am sure she will not refuse.
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