hat tall
girl in pink. You see those sparkles in the roses on her corsage and in
her hair; they are all diamonds. I know the white glitter. What airs she
gives herself! I suppose she is an heiress, and, I dare say, not half as
rich as you are."

"Don't be too sure. I am no millionaire," began Katherine, when she was
interrupted by a voice she knew, which said, "I had no idea it was to be
such a ghastly concern as this!" and turning, she found De Burgh close
behind her.

"What offends you?" she asked, smiling.

"All this trilling and shrieking. There's tea or something going on
downstairs. You had better come away before they have a fresh burst;
they are carrying up a big fiddle."

"Tea!" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde. "Oh, do take me away to have some!"

"Here, Darrell," said De Burgh, coolly, turning back to speak to some
one who stood behind him. "Here's Mrs. Ormonde dying for deliverance and
tea. Come, do your _devoir_."

Darrell hastened forward, smiling, delighted. With a little pucker of
the brow and lifting of the eyebrows Mrs. Ormonde accepted his arm.

"Now, Miss Liddell," said De Burgh, offering his; and not sorry to
escape from the heated, crowded room, Katherine took it and accompanied
him downstairs.

"I did not think you knew Lady Barrington," said Katherine, as he handed
her an ice.

"Know her? Never heard of her till you mentioned her name the day before
yesterday."

"How did she come to ask you to her house, then?"

"Let me see. Oh, I went down to the club and asked if any one knew Lady
Barrington, and who was going to her party. At last Darrell said he was
a sort of relation, and that he would ask for a card. He did, and here I
am."

"But you said you were coming."

"So I was. I made up my mind to come as soon as you said you were."

"You are very audacious, Mr. De Burgh!" said Katherine, laughing in
spite of her intention to be rather distant with him.

"Do you think so? Then I have earned the character cheaply. Are they
going to squall and fiddle all night? I thought it might turn into a
dance."

"I did not imagine you would condescend to dance."

"Why? I used to like dancing, under certain conditions. Don't fancy I
haven't an ear for music, Miss Liddell, because I said the performance
upstairs was ghastly. I am very fond of music--real sweet music. I liked
_your_ songs, and I should have liked a waltz with you--_im_mensely. You
know I never met you in society before--" He stopped abr