usic with her," she said, hesitatingly.

"Ah, yes; Lady Fitzharford is a good friend of mine," he said. "Shall
you be there at, say, four?"

"Yes," said Ida in a low voice. "Did you say that Mr. Orme--Lord
Highcliffe is well?"

"Oh, yes; he is all right now," replied Howard; "he has been ill--a
fever of some kind or other, I believe--but he has recovered; he is a
monster of strength, as you may have heard. But I am afraid he is very
unhappy: something on what he calls his mind--he is not very
intellectual, you know--"

Ida shot an indignant glance at him which made Howard chuckle inwardly.

--"But the best, the noblest of good fellows, I assure you, Miss Heron.
I'd give anything to see him happy. Ah, here comes a gentleman with
hurried gait and distracted countenance; he is looking for his partner;
alas! it is you! We meet, then, at Lady Fitzharford's to-morrow. I will
bring my friend's letter; but I do sincerely hope it won't bore you!"

He bowed his adieux and left her, and left the house; for the ball had
no further interest for him. All the way home he pondered over the
case. That she loved Stafford, he had not the very least doubt; her
eyes, her sudden blushes and colour, her voice had betrayed her.

"He has loved her all the time; and I am a purblind ass not to have
seen it!" he said to himself, with cynical self-contempt, as he climbed
up to his rooms.

They were modest but comfortable rooms in Picadilly--and he struck a
match before he opened the door; but it was not necessary for him to
have got a light, for there was one in the room already, and by it he
saw a long-limbed figure which had been sitting in his easy-chair, but
which rose and exclaimed:

"Howard!"

Howard held his breath for a moment, then said, with exaggerated calm.

"I'm glad you found the cigars and the whiskey, Stafford. Have you been
waiting long: sorry to keep you."

Howard laughed as he wrung his friend's hand.

"I thought I should surprise you, old man; but I flattered myself,"
said Stafford.

"Nothing surprises me; but I'll admit to being rather pleased at seeing
you," drawled Howard, pushing him gently buck in the chair. "Have
you--er--walked from Australia, or flown?"

Stafford stared.

"Oh, I see! You mean I came so quickly on my letter? I started directly
after I posted it, but lost the mail at Southampton. I--I got a
restless fit, and was obliged to come."

"Got it now?" drawled Howard. "Or perhaps the journey