as I advanced up the perspective of waxed floor, the very boards
winked detection. A little Master of Ceremonies, as round as the rosette
on his lapel, detached himself from the nearest group, and approached
with something of a skater's motion and an insinuating smile.

"Mr.-a-Ducie, if I heard aright? A stranger, I believe, to our northern
capital, and I hope a dancer?" I bowed. "Grant me the pleasure, Mr.
Ducie, of finding you a partner."

"If," said I, "you would present me to the young lady yonder, beneath
the musicians' gallery----" For I recognised Master Ronald's flame, the
girl in pink of Mr. Robbie's party, to-night gowned in apple-green.

"Miss McBean--Miss Camilla McBean? With pleasure. Great discrimination
you show, sir. Be so good as to follow me."

I was led forward and presented. Miss McBean responded to my bow with
great play of shoulders; and in turn presented me to her mother, a
moustachioed lady in stiff black silk, surmounted with a black cap and
coquelicot trimmings.

"_Any_ friend of Mr. Robbie's, I'm sure," murmured Mrs. McBean, affably
inclining. "Look, Camilla dear--Sir William and Lady Frazer--in laylock
sarsnet--how well that diamond bandeau becomes her! They are early
to-night. As I was saying, Mr.----"

"Ducie."

"_To_ be sure. As I was saying, _any_ friend of Mr. Robbie--one of my
oldest acquaintance. If you can manage now to break him of his bachelor
habits? You are making a long stay in Edinburgh?"

"I fear, madam, that I must leave it to-morrow."

"You have seen all our lions, I suppose? The Castle, now? Ah, the
attractions of London!--now don't shake your head, Mr. Ducie. I hope I
know a Londoner when I see one. And yet 'twould surprise you how fast we
are advancing in Edinburgh. Camilla dear, that Miss Scrymgeour has edged
her China crape with the very ribbon trimmings--black satin with pearl
edge--we saw in that new shop in Princes Street yesterday: sixpenny
width at the bottom, and three-three-farthings round the bodice.
Perhaps you can tell me, Mr. Ducie, if it's really true that ribbon
trimmings are _the height_ in London and Bath this year?"

But the band struck up, and I swept the unresisting Camilla towards the
set. After the dance, the ladies (who were kind enough to compliment me
on my performance) suffered themselves to be led to the tea-room. By
this time the arrivals were following each other thick and fast; and,
standing by the tea-table, I heard name after nam