w opera hat, a new and shining
pair of dress boots, and a fashionable new overcoat, cut a very
different figure from the sedate W.S. of the Colonel's previous
acquaintance.

Heriot looked a trifle self-conscious.

"I hope I haven't overdone the thing," said he.

"Not a bit," smiled the Colonel, as a bright inspiration struck him.
"The only criticism I'd make is that you are really thrown away on the
members of your very sedate club, Heriot."

"Oh, but I didn't mean to dine you at my club."

Colonel Munro opened his eyes and smiled again.

"Where do you propose?"

"Well, I thought perhaps you might advise me."

"Let me see," mused Charlie, with a pleasant air.

"What about the Carlton?"

"First-rate, if you care to run to that."

"I've booked a table there on spec," said Heriot.

The Colonel beamed.

"I say, you're coming out, Heriot. Blowing the expense this time, what?"

"I don't care what I spend!" replied his old friend, in a burst of
confidence.

"Then let's start," said the Colonel. "Like to take a cab?"

"I've got one waiting."

"After you," said Charlie, holding the door open.

He was struck by the agility with which his old friend descended the
stairs, and smiled afresh at the increasing possibilities of the
situation.

"I say, this is very pleasant," beamed Mr. Walkingshaw as they jingled
off in a hansom.

Rather bashfully he took from his overcoat pocket a pair of dazzling
white kid gloves.

"These are the proper things in the evening, aren't they?" he inquired.
"I notice you've got on a pair."

His guest chuckled.

"They'll do to dance in afterwards if we go on to Covent Garden," he
laughed, and then added waggishly, "How would you like to go to a fancy
dress ball, Heriot?"

"Is there one on to-night?" asked Heriot.

"Yes."

"Are you going?"

"Oh, I've given up that sort of thing years ago; but of course, if
you're keen to go, I might stretch a point."

Mr. Walkingshaw looked at him doubtfully out of the corner of his eye
and answered nothing.

A little later the two old friends had grown more merrily confidential
than they had been since the days of their youth. Charlie Munro was a
little puzzled by the subtle alteration in his host, but he was not in
the least disposed to criticize it. He felt more and more inclined to
tempt him into a further display of frivolity.

"Well, now, what about the Covent Garden ball?" he suggested.

Heriot's eyes grew bright, but his m