Surely that young gentleman in primrose sattin and
flesh-coloured brocaded waistcoat, who took the polished
floor so easily, was the poet of Valentine Day to whom
she had confided her note. Surely too, for all he stared
at everybody else from time to time, his eyes were really
fixed on hers. Perhaps he was a friend of Amor's
with a message to deliver — and yet it would be more
interesting, she decided, if he were not. Presently Mr.
Lovely was bowing over her chair and asking in the
politest manner possible for the honour of the next two
dances.
She looked round at Miss Morton as if to say she
could not leave her without a partner.
" Madam," said Mr. Lovely bowing very low indeed,
" if I might be so presumptuous, does the young lady
wish for a Vis h Vis, for in that case I shall certainly
present my friend Mr. Chalkley of the Foot."

Miss Morton, amid a deal of simpering, confessed she
favoured a minuet on occasions, so Mr. Lovely hurried
off to fetch Mr. Chalkley before the musicians began to
play the opening bars of the dance.
I08 THE PASSIONATE ELOPEMENT

Phyllida was astonished at the coincidence and not
sure whether, after all, Mr. Chalkley had not employed
Mr. Lovely's offices on his behalf. However, as she had
little enough envy in her and was romantically attached
to Mr. Amor, she could scarcely refuse to help her dear
Morton into the arms of an expectant lover, and if Mr.
Lovely had no real inclination to dance with her, that
was no great matter, since he was a vastly agreeable
young gentleman and would pass the time very pleasantly
in the absence of another.
