It wasn't that I was particularly anxious to appear well before
Di (though I have enough vanity not to like the contrast between us to
seem too great, even when she and I are alone), but because I wanted her
to think, when she came to my room, that I'd been there a long time.
I was sure she would come and peep in at the door, to steal away if she
found me asleep, or to enquire how I felt if I were awake.
By and by the handle of the door moved softly, just as I had expected,
and seeing a light, Di came in. It was late, and she had danced all
night, but instead of looking tired she was radiant. When she spoke, her
voice was as gay and happy as Ivor's had been when he first came into
Lord Mountstuart's study with the Foreign Secretary.
I said that I was much better, and had had a nice rest; that if I hadn't
wanted to hear how everything had gone at the ball, I should have been
in bed and asleep long ago.
"Everything went very well," said she. "I think it was a great success."
"Did you dance every dance?" I asked, working up slowly to what I meant
to say.
"Except a few that I sat out."
"I can guess who sat them out with you," said I.
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