ce. Damaris Verity, it appeared, had never really, properly
and ceremoniously "come out"--a neglect which Henrietta protested should
be repaired. Positively, but very charmingly, she told Sir Charles it
must. She only wished the affair could be on a larger, more worthy scale.
This was, after all, but a makeshift--the modest best she could arrange
under the circumstances. But he--Sir Charles--must not refuse. It would
give her such intense pleasure to have the darling child make her
official _debut_ under her, Henrietta's, auspices. The hours would of
necessity be early, to avoid disturbance of the non-dancing residents in
the hotel. But, if the entertainment were bound to end at midnight, it
could begin at a proportionately unfashionable hour. For once _table
d'hote_ might surely be timed for six o'clock; and the dining-room--since
it offered larger space than any other apartment--be cleared, aired, and
ready for dancing by a quarter-past eight.--Henrietta unquestionably had
a way with her; proprietors, managers, servants alike hastening obedient
to her cajoling nod.--Thanks to importations by road and rail, from other
coast resorts, she reckoned to muster sixteen to twenty couples.--A
rubbishing apology at best, in the matter of a "coming out" ball, for a
girl of Damaris' position and deserts--no one could know that better than
she, Henrietta, herself did!

"A poor thing but mine own," she quoted, when enlarging upon the scheme
to Charles Verity. "But as at Easter we are fated to scatter, I suppose,
and go our several roads with small promise of reunion, you must really
be gracious, dear friend, and, for old sake's sake, give in to my
desires. It's my last chance, for heaven knows how long--not impossibly
for ever."

Carteret happened to be present during the above conversation. Had he
not, it may be doubted whether it would ever have taken place--with this
dash of affecting reminiscence in any case. Allusions to a common past
were barred for excellent reasons, as between these two persons, save
strictly in public. Even so it struck him as a humorous piece of audacity
on the lady's part. Her effrontery touched on the colossal! But it
succeeded, always had done so.--In his judgment of Henrietta, Carteret
never failed to remember, being compact of chivalry and of truthfulness,
that he had once on a time been a good half in love with her
himself.--All the same he was not sure her close association with Damaris
met with h