eccentric persons.

She was, he said to himself,

so delightfully incapable of understanding all that was going on about her. He thought of Philip Lamond's infatuation and nearly burst out laughing. Cynthia was like the lady amid the rabble rout of Comus. When she first entered the room she felt a thrill of pleasure. The blended colours and the light of many candles made her step more quick and her smile more frequent. She opened like a bud in the perfumed air. But as the banquet went slowly on and the talk grew louder, she began to shrink back into herself. There was something in the mirth which chilled her, and when the roving eye of the Belrotoli lighted on her for a moment, she shivered. At last she began to struggle with a horrible suspicion that Freddie was taking too much wine. His conversation flowed with unusual fulness, and he became more knowing every moment. He was ready to provide the whole party with "tips" for avoiding all troubles and dangers, and he illustrated every conceivable weakness by the frankest reference to himself. As Cynthia was watching this honest youth with increasing alarm, she caught Stephen's eye fixed upon her with an expression of amusement, and thercat she felt an unusual flash

of anger. Why could not Stephen do something to help her poor friend, instead of amusing himself with his wearisome mockery? She was much relieved when they left the table; but unhappily it was merely another Bohemian pause-an absence of a few minutes. Back they all came from the studio, and found the table covered with hothouse fruit from France and a fresh mass of roses. The servants had departed, and there was no longer a check on the guests' enjoyment. Back came the Belrotoli, flushed through powder, undulating in her walk and turning her head from side to side.

"I swear I heard her hiss," whispered Stephen to Bonamy who was radiant and light of foot as a young faun.

"You are sad my Lord Cheepyre," cried the Contessa to that young gentleman, who with an air of portentous gravity was explaining to Lady Lappin the best position for sleeping in a railway carriage. "Look!" she went on, "I am in an empress mood to- night. I have not a pearl, but if I had one I would melt him in this wine and drink to England and Federico. It is in the honour of Federico this festival. Let us have a

toast. What do you say, Sportsman?" She point

ed a long finger at Mr Playdell, and laughed with

glee at her newly acquired expression. Recollections of Clapham Common were crowding thick on Lady Lappin. Sir Rupert with anxiety in his voice was still proclaiming the informality of the party. Miss Lindley slipped away tremulous, though unobserved, and scarcely dared to breathe until she was safe in her gondola.

Come away," said Hugo shortly to his daughter. He was disgusted by this riot, and ready to wash his hands of the whole party. It would ill become him to make any further overtures to the misguided Cheepyre. As he moved away, Cynthia seized her opportunity.

"Freddie," she said quickly, "you will come to us to-morrow? Promise me."

"No, no," said Cheepyre with his wisest air, "you don't catch me binding myself." His voice was loud if his words were none of the clearest.

Stephen Aylward stared at his cousin in amazement, and the Belrotoli laughed shrilly. She had been busy with her long fingers winding roses into a wreath. "Come," she cried, "down on to your knees Federico! Quick, quick! I will crown you."

Cynthia turned away with a shudder. As she turned she saw Aylward looking curiously at her. She put out her hand towards him. "O Stephen,"

she said, "how can you allow this?" There was a tone of passionate rebuke in her voice.

Stephen looked after her with a puzzled expression. "Poor Philip!" he said with a little toss of the head. He thought that this girl was strangely incapable of hiding her feelings, that her readiness to be on with the new love was clear as the day.

Cheepyre stood staring after the girl, and his flushed boyish face was eloquent of gratified vanity. He was recalled from this fit of contemplation by the voice of the Belrotoli. She was more shrill, more imperious, and she tapped the ground with her little foot. "Down on your knees!" she cried; and she pressed her long fingers upon his shoulder. Down went the youth with an empty laugh; and the lady raised the rose-wreath high in air before placing it on his curly head. The rocm seemed heavy with the scent of flowers and wine, full of swimming light. Suddenly the great curtains swayed out and in, there was a quick cool motion of the outer air, the door had been opened wide, and in the doorway stood motionless the Captain Tiribomba. Opposite him, and motionless as he, stood the Contessa Belrotoli with the flowers held high, with eyes and emeralds gleaming. The eyes were fastened on Tiribomba and the lips grew thin with mocking,

as the lithe hands slowly sank and placed the garland on the head of the kneeling youth.

"Pardon me," said the Captain to Lady Lappin, "I did not know that you entertained. Permit me to make you my congratulations on your tableaux. A thousand thanks, no. I am not able to stay." With a bow, which acknowledged the presence of the whole party, he turned sharply on his heel, as Sir Rupert sidled up with hesitating action to explain the informality of the occasion. The little gentleman looked round with mild distress; and the Belrotoli white to the lips burst into a passion of metallic laughter.

L