tions by
throwing open the gaol in which she dwelt. Her festival, to which all
that Beorminster could boast of in the way of society was invited,
usually took the form of an out-of-door party, as Mrs Pansey found that
she could receive more people, and trouble herself less about their
entertainment, by filling her grounds than by crushing them into the
rather small reception-rooms of her house. Besides, the gardens were
really charming, and the wide-spreading green of the lawns, surrounded
by ample flower-beds, now brilliant with rainbow blossoms, looked most
picturesque when thronged with well-dressed, well-bred, well-pleased
guests. Nearly all the invitations had been accepted; firstly, because
Mrs Pansey made things unpleasant afterwards for such defiant spirits as
stayed away; secondly, for the very attractive reason that the meat and
drink provided by the hostess were of the best. Thus Mrs Pansey's
entertainments were usually the most successful of the Beorminster
season.

On this auspicious occasion the clerk of the weather had granted the
hostess an especially fine day. Sunshine filled the cloudless arch of
the blue sky; the air was warm, but tempered by a softly-blowing breeze;
and the guests, to do honour at once to Mrs Pansey and the delightful
weather, wore their most becoming and coolest costumes. Pretty girls
laughed in the sunshine; matrons gossiped beneath the rustling trees;
and the sober black coats of the clerical element subdued the too vivid
tints of the feminine frippery. The scene was animated and full of
colour and movement, so that even Mrs Pansey's grim countenance expanded
into an unusual smile when greeting fresh arrivals. At intervals a band
played lively dance music; there was croquet and lawn-tennis for the
young; iced coffee and scandal for the old. Altogether, the company,
being mostly youthful and unthinking, was enjoying itself immensely, as
the chatter and laughter, and smiling and bowing amply testified.

'Altogether, I may regard it as a distinct success,' said Mrs Pansey,
as, attired in her most Hamlet-like weeds, she received her guests under
the shade of a many-coloured Japanese umbrella. 'And the gardens really
look nice.'

'The gardens of Paradise!' observed the complimentary Cargrim, who was
smirking at the elbow of his hostess.

'Don't distort Holy Writ, if--you--please!' snapped Mrs Pansey, who
still reserved the right of being disagreeable even at her own
entertainment;