onocles into their eyes as he passed, asking each other in politely
subdued tones who the man was who seemed to be in attendance on Miss
Vanderpoel. Nigel knew this and girded at it internally, while he made
the most of his suave smile.

The distinguished personage who was the chief guest was to be seen at
the upper end of the room talking to a tall man with broad shoulders,
who was plainly interesting him for the moment. As the Stornham party
passed on, this person, making his bow, retired, and, as he turned
towards them, Sir Nigel recognising him, the agreeable smile was for the
moment lost.

"How in the name of Heaven did Mount Dunstan come here?" broke from him
with involuntary heat.

"Would it be rash to conclude," said Betty, as she returned the bow of a
very grand old lady in black velvet and an imposing tiara, "that he came
in response to invitation?"

The very grand old lady seemed pleased to see her, and, with a royal
little sign, called her to her side. As Betty Vanderpoel was a great
success with the Mrs. Weldens and old Dobys of village life, she was
also a success among grand old ladies. When she stood before them there
was a delicate submission in her air which was suggestive of obedience
to the dignity of their years and state. Strongly conservative and
rather feudal old persons were much pleased by this. In the present
irreverent iconoclasm of modern times, it was most agreeable to talk to
a handsome creature who was as beautifully attentive as if she had been
a specially perfect young lady-in-waiting.

This one even patted Betty's hand a little, when she took it. She was a
great county potentate, who was known as Lady Alanby of Dole--her house
being one of the most ancient and interesting in England.

"I am glad to see you here to-night," she said. "You are looking very
nice. But you cannot help that."

Betty asked permission to present her sister and brother-in-law. Lady
Alanby was polite to both of them, but she gave Nigel a rather sharp
glance through her gold pince-nez as she greeted him.

"Janey and Mary," she said to the two girls nearest her, "I daresay
you will kindly change your chairs and let Lady Anstruthers and Miss
Vanderpoel sit next to me."

The Ladies Jane and Mary Lithcom, who had been ordered about by her from
their infancy, obeyed with polite smiles. They were not particularly
pretty girls, and were of the indigent noble. Jane, who had almost
overlarge blue eyes, sighed as