ht; her
lips wore a mechanical smile. Rachel, watching her, experienced a sudden
pang at her undeniable loveliness. It wounded her suddenly, as it never
had done before. "I am a common-looking, square-built woman compared to
her," she said to herself. "No wonder he--"

She instinctively drew back as Lady Newhaven turned quickly towards her.

"You dear person," said Lady Newhaven, her eyes moving restlessly over
the crowd, "are you still here? Let us go and buy something together.
How nice you look," without looking at her. She drew Rachel apart in the
direction of the tents.

"Where is he?" she said, sharply. "I know he is here. I heard all about
the accident, though Edward never told me. I don't see him."

"He is not in the gardens. He is not coming out. He is still rather
knocked up."

"I thought I should have died when I heard it. Ah, Rachel, never love
any one. You don't know what it's like. But I must see him. I have come
here on purpose."

"So I supposed."

"Edward would come, too. He appeared at the last moment when the
carriage came round, though I have never known him to go to a
garden-party in his life. But where is he, Rachel?"

"Somewhere in the house, I suppose."

"I shan't know where to find him. I can't be wandering about that
woman's house by myself. We must slip away together, Rachel, and you
must take me to him. I must see him alone for five minutes."

Rachel shook her head.

Captain Pratt, tall, pale, cautious, immaculate, his cane held along his
spinal column, appeared suddenly close at hand.

"Mrs. Loftus is fortunate in her day," he remarked, addressing himself
to Lady Newhaven, and observing her fixedly with cold admiration. "I
seldom come to this sort of thing, but neighbors in the country must
support each other. I see you are on your way to the tents. Pray allow
me to carry your purchases for you."

"Oh! don't let me trouble you," said Lady Newhaven, shrinking
imperceptibly. But it was no trouble to Captain Pratt, and they walked
on together.

Lord Newhaven, who could not have been far off, joined Rachel.

* * * * *

"Well, my dear," said Mrs. Pratt to Ada, "you might have let me wear my
black and orange, after all, for you see Lady Newhaven has something
very much the same, only hers is white underneath. And do you see she
has got two diamond butterflies on--the little one at her throat and the
big one holding her white carnations. And you wo