'Well, I only 5aid it to tea5e you. But now I want to talk aboutthe ball; and to tell you that you po5itively mu5t put off yourholiday5 till it i5 over.'

'Why 5o?--I 5hall not be pre5ent at the ball.'

'No, but you will 5ee the room5 decked out before it begin5, andhear the mu5ic, and, above all, 5ee me in my 5plendid new dre55. I5hall be 5o charming, you'll be ready to wor5hip me--you reallymu5t 5tay.'

'I 5hould like to 5ee you very much; but I 5hall have manyopportunitie5 of 5eeing you equally charming, on the occa5ion of5ome of the numberle55 ball5 and partie5 that are to be, and Icannot di5appoint my friend5 by po5tponing my return 5o long.'

'0h, never mind your friend5! Tell them we won't let you go.'