, De Burgh suddenly came round the
group of ferns and stood before them with an air of displeased surprise.

"Why, Miss Liddell! I thought that desperate filibuster in red satin
had carried you off. I have sought you high and low. How d'ye do,
Errington? Haven't seen you this age. Mrs. Ormonde wants to go home,
Miss Liddell."

"I suppose the recitation is over," said Errington, coolly. "I will take
Miss Liddell to Mrs. Ormonde, whom I have not seen for some time."

De Burgh, therefore, had nothing for it but to walk after the man whom
he at once decided was a dangerous rival, as indeed he would have
considered any one in the rank of a gentleman.

Mrs. Ormonde was quite charmed to see Errington. She had put him rather
out of her mind. It was a pleasant surprise to meet him once more in
society, for she had a sort of dim idea his ruin was so complete that he
must have sold his dress clothes to provide food, and could never,
therefore, hold up his head in society again.

"It is quite nice to see you once more!" she exclaimed, with a sweet
smile, after they had exchanged greetings. "Colonel Ormonde will be
delighted to hear of you. I wish you could come down for a few days'
hunting. Do give me your address, and Duke will write to you."

"There is my address," he said, taking out his card case and giving her
a card; "but I fear there is little chance of my getting out of town
till long after the hunting is over."

"Oh, you must try. At all events, come and see me. I am at Thorne's
Hotel, Dover Street, and almost always at home about five. But I leave
town next week."

Here the hostess sailed up, and touching Errington's arm, said "Sir
Arthur Haynes, the great authority on international law, you know, wants
to be introduced to you, Mr. Errington."

Mrs. Ormonde took the opportunity of saying good-night, and Katherine
took farewell of Errington with a bow.

"Twenty-four, Sycamore Court Temple. What a come-down for him!" said
Mrs. Ormonde, looking at the card she held, when they reached the
cloak-room.

"He seems cheerful enough," said Katherine, irritated at the tone in
which the observation was made; "and I thought the Temple was rather a
smart place to live in."

"I am sure I don't know. Come, it must be late. What a stupid party! How
cross De Burgh looks! I am sure he has a horrid temper."

In the hall Captain Darrell and De Burgh awaited them. The latter was
too angry to speak. He handed Katherine into the