"What do you think of my friend Kondjé-Gul?" she said to me, when we sat

down after a few turns.

"She is remarkably pretty," I replied.

"I suppose you'll ask her for a dance with you?" she continued, with a

smile.

"I shall certainly not fail in this duty to a friend of yours and Miss

Maud's!"

"Miss Maud and I thank you very much for the attention," she said, with

a ceremonious bow; "only," she added, smiling maliciously at me, "I must

prepare you for a disappointment, which you will, no doubt, feel very

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much afflicted by--our friend does not dance!"

"What, never?"

"We have given several little parties at my father's rooms, and have

never been able to persuade her to."

"Ah! that's no doubt because she only knows her oriental dances."

"You're quite wrong there! She has taken lessons just as we have, and

waltzes splendidly; but she won't even dance with the professor; it's

always Maud or I who act as her partners. She has some principles on

this subject which appear to be rooted in her, and which we have not yet

succeeded in overcoming."

"If you would help me this evening," I said, "perhaps we can succeed

between us."

"What, is it to be a conspiracy?"

"Quite a friendly one, for you must admit that it is for her own

interest."

"I won't deny it," she replied, with a laugh; "but how are we to force

her?"

Then I noticed poor Kondjé-Gul, who was watching us, and seemed to envy

us.

"Listen!" I said, as if a sudden idea had struck me. "I know of a likely

way."

"Well?"

"Let us take my aunt into our confidence; I see them over there talking

Turkish together. My aunt will perhaps be able to exercise sufficient

influence over your friend to convince her that she may conform to our

usages without committing any offence."

"Yes, that's the way to manage it!" exclaimed Miss Suzannah, in delight.

"Our conspiracy is making progress; but how shall we get at your aunt?"

"Does Mademoiselle Kondjé-Gul understand English?" I asked her.

"No, not a word."

"Then it's a very simple matter," I added. "After this polka I'll take

you back to your seat; you then communicate our scheme to my aunt in

English, and ask for her assistance; I come up, as if by chance, and try

my luck with her for the next waltz."




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