But, indeed, my heart jumped with
rapture.
Without John, Mrs. Baker really didn't know how to refuse me.
"But--but--but--" she stammered.
"Surround her with a bodyguard, if you like," said the General. "You'll
have Judge Baker and Hynes, of course; and that--what's the name of that
shy young man who's just gone? He looks presentable."
"But--but--" protested Aunt; "Bake'd never go; and--Nelly--has--do you
suppose Mr. Burke has evening clothes?"
"Naturally," I said with nonchalance, though my quick temper was fired. I
was as sure he hadn't as I was that Mrs. Van Dam knew his name, and that
he would oppose the dance even more strongly than did Aunt; and I wished
that I could go without him. But it was useless to think of this, with
even the General suggesting a bodyguard. I resolved that he should at
least consult a decent tailor.
"Why not have detectives as guards--as if I wore a fortune in diamonds?" I
grumbled.
"Let us at least have Mr. Burke. Now, Helen, what do _you_ propose to
wear?" concluded the General.
Mrs. Van Dam took an extraordinary interest in my toilette. She even came
to see my new evening dress fitted, and put little Mrs.
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