ssen, and the feeling of this privilege had
been enhanced by the manner in which Lord Silverbridge had devoted
himself to her. Fashion of course makes fashion. Had not Lord
Silverbridge been so very much struck by the charm of the young lady,
Lords Glasslough and Popplecourt would not perhaps have found it
necessary to run after her. As it was, even that most unenergetic of
young men, Dolly Longstaff, was moved to profound admiration.

On this occasion they were all up the river at Maidenhead. Mr.
Boncassen had looked about for some means of returning the civilities
offered to him, and had been instigated by Mrs. Montacute Jones to
do it after this fashion. There was a magnificent banquet spread in
a summer-house on the river bank. There were boats, and there was
a band, and there was a sward for dancing. There was lawn-tennis,
and fishing-rods,--which nobody used,--and better still, long shady
secluded walks in which gentlemen might stroll,--and ladies too,
if they were kind enough. The whole thing had been arranged by Mrs.
Montacute Jones. As the day was fine, as many of the old people had
abstained from coming, as there were plenty of young men of the
best sort, and as nothing had been spared in reference to external
comforts, the party promised to be a success. Every most lovely girl
in London of course was there,--except Lady Mabel Grex. Lady Mabel
was in the habit of going everywhere, but on this occasion she
had refused Mrs. Boncassen's invitation. "I don't want to see her
triumphs," she had said to Miss Cass.

Everybody went down by railway of course, and innumerable flies and
carriages had been provided to take them to the scene of action.
Some immediately got into boats and rowed themselves up from the
bridge,--which, as the thermometer was standing at eighty in the
shade, was an inconsiderate proceeding. "I don't think I am quite up
to that," said Dolly Longstaff, when it was proposed to him to take
an oar. "Miss Amazon will do it. She rows so well, and is so strong."
Whereupon Miss Amazon, not at all abashed, did take the oar; and as
Lord Silverbridge was on the seat behind her with the other oar she
probably enjoyed her task.

"What a very nice sort of person Lady Cantrip is." This was said
to Silverbridge by that generally silent young nobleman Lord
Popplecourt. The remark was the more singular because Lady Cantrip
was not at the party,--and the more so again because, as Silverbridge
thought, there cou