it will do very well for the party
to-morrow."

"Half the county--that kind of thing?"

"<i>All</i> the county--some royalties--and Lord Parham."

"Lord Parham being the end and aim? I thought I heard wheels."

Mrs. Alcot rose, and they strolled back towards the house.

"And the party?" resumed Darrell.

"Not particularly thrilling. Lord Grosville--"

"Also, I presume, <i>en garcon</i>."

Mrs. Alcot smiled.

"--the Manleys, Lady Tranmore, Miss French, the Dean of Milford and his
wife, Eddie Helston--"

"That, I understand, is Lady Kitty's undergraduate adorer?"

"It's no use talking to you--you know all the gossip. And some county
big-wigs, whose names I can't remember--come to dinner to-night." Mrs.
Alcot stifled a yawn.

"I am very curious to see how Ashe takes his triumph," said Darrell, as
they paused half-way.

"He is just the same. No!" said Madeleine Alcot, correcting
herself--"no--not quite. He <i>meant</i> to triumph, and he <i>knows</i> that he
has done so."

"My dear lady!" cried Darrell--"a quite <i>enormous</i> difference! Ashe
never took stock of himself or his prospects in his life before."

"Well, now--you will find he takes stock of a good many things."

"Including Lady Kitty?"

His companion smiled.

"He won't let her interfere again."

"<i>L'homme propose</i>," said Darrell. "You mean he has grown ambitious?"

Mrs. Alcot seemed to find it difficult to cope with these high things.
Fanning herself, she languidly supposed that the English political
passion, so strong and unspent still in the aristocratic families, had
laid serious hold at last on William Ashe. He had great schemes of
reform, and, do what he might to conceal it, his heart was in them. His
wife, therefore, was no longer his occupation, but--

Mrs. Alcot hesitated for a word.

"Scarcely his repose?" laughed Darrell.

"I really won't discuss Kitty any more," said Mrs. Alcot, impatiently.
"Here they are! Hullo! What has Kitty got hold of now?"

Three carriages were driving up the long approach, one behind the other.
In the first sat Kitty, a figure beside her in the dress of a nurse, and
opposite to them both an indistinguishable bundle, which presently
revealed a head. The carriage drew up at the steps. Kitty jumped down,
and she and the nurse lifted the bundle out. Footmen appeared; some
guests from the next carriage went to help; there was a general movement
and agitation, in the midst of which Kitty and her