f crimson and brown, gave brightness to the shelves, while the
sombre darkness of carved oak made a background for this variety of
colour.

Not a mortal in the crowded library this evening thought of looking at
the books. The room had been transformed into a bazaar. Two long tables
were loaded with the wedding gifts which rejoicing friends and aspiring
acquaintances had lavished upon Lady Almira. Each gift was labelled
with the name of the giver; the exhibition was full of an intensely
personal interest. Everybody wanted to see what everybody had given.
Most of the people looking at the show had made their offerings, and
were anxious to see if their own particular contribution appeared to
advantage.

Here Mrs. Scobel was in her element. She explained everything,
expatiated upon the beauty and usefulness of everything. If she had
assisted at the purchase of all these gifts, or had actually chosen
them, she could not have been more familiar with their uses and merits.

"You must look at the silver candelabra presented by Sir Ponto's
workpeople, so much more sensible than a bracelet. I don't think
Garrard--yes, it is Garrard--ever did anything better; so sweetly
mythological--a goat and a dear little chubby boy, and ever so many
savage-looking persons with cymbals."

"The education of Jupiter, perhaps," suggested Captain Winstanley.

"Of course. The savage persons must be teaching him music. Have you
seen this liqueur cabinet, dear Mrs. Tempest? The most exquisite thing,
from the servants at Southminster. Could anything be nicer?"

"Looks rather like a suggestion that Lady Almira may be given to
curacoa on the quiet," said the Captain.

"And this lovely, lovely screen in crewels, by the Ladies Ringwood,
after a picture by Alma Tadema," continued Mrs. Scobel. "Was there ever
anything so perfect? And to think that our poor mothers worked staring
roses and gigantic lilies in Berlin wool and glass beads, and imagined
themselves artistic!"

The ladies went the round of the tables, in a crush of other ladies,
all rapturous. The Louis Quatorze fans, the carved ivory, the Brussels
point, the oxydised silver glove-boxes, and malachite blotting-books,
the pearls, opals, ormolu; the antique tankards and candlesticks,
Queen-Anne teapots; diamond stars, combs, tiaras; prayer-books, and
"Christian Years." The special presents which stood out from this chaos
of common place were--a _riviere_ of diamonds from the Earl of
Southmi