ysium at Roehampton, in order that
she might give two garden-parties every year. When it is said that
all these costly luxuries appertained to Mrs. Montacute Jones, it
is to be understood that they did in truth belong to Mr. Jones, of
whom nobody heard much. But of Mrs. Jones,--that is, Mrs. Montacute
Jones,--everybody heard a great deal. She was an old lady who devoted
her life to the amusement of--not only her friends, but very many who
were not her friends. No doubt she was fond of Lords and Countesses,
and worked very hard to get round her all the rank and fashion of the
day. It must be acknowledged that she was a worldly old woman. But
no more good-natured old woman lived in London, and everybody liked
to be asked to her garden-parties. On this occasion there was to be
a considerable infusion of royal blood,--German, Belgian, French,
Spanish, and of native growth. Everybody who was asked would go, and
everybody had been asked,--who was anybody. Lord Silverbridge had
been asked, and Lord Silverbridge intended to be there. Lady Mary,
his sister, could not even be asked, because her mother was hardly
more than three months dead; but it is understood in the world that
women mourn longer than men.

Silverbridge had mounted a private hansom cab in which he could be
taken about rapidly,--and, as he said himself, without being shut
up in a coffin. In this vehicle he had himself taken to Roehampton,
purporting to kill two birds with one stone. He had not as yet seen
his sister since she had been with Lady Cantrip. He would on this day
come back by The Horns.

He was well aware that Lady Mab would be at the garden-party. What
place could be better for putting the question he had to ask? He was
by no means so confident as the heir to so many good things might
perhaps have been without overdue self-confidence.

Entering through the house into the lawn he encountered Mrs.
Montacute Jones, who, with a seat behind her on the terrace,
surrounded by flowers, was going through the immense labour of
receiving her guests.

"How very good of you to come all this way, Lord Silverbridge, to eat
my strawberries."

"How very good of you to ask me! I did not come to eat your
strawberries but to see your friends."

"You ought to have said you came to see me, you know. Have you met
Miss Boncassen yet?"

"The American beauty? No. Is she here?"

"Yes; and she particularly wants to be introduced to you; you won't
betray me, will you?