ening party.

His mother's interest had procured it for him, and it came from Lady
Charlton, the wife of Sir Robert, the eminent Q.C. It was with no little
elation that he passed the card round the breakfast-table for the
benefit of Mrs. Browne and the girls. There stood Lady Charlton's name,
engraved in the centre, and his own, "Mr. Edward Everett," written up in
the left-hand corner; while the date, a Thursday in February, was as yet
too far ahead for him to have any inkling of the trepidation he was
presently to feel.

Everett, although nineteen, had never been to a real party before; in
the wilds of Devonshire one does not even require dress clothes;
therefore, after sending an acceptation in his best handwriting, his
first step was to go and get himself measured for an evening suit.

Now, Everett looked even younger than his age, and this is felt to be a
misfortune when one is still in one's teens. Later in life people appear
to bear it much better. He found himself feeling more than usually young
and insignificant on presenting himself to his tailor and stating his
requirements. Mr. Lucas condescended to him from the elevation of six
inches superior height and thirty years' seniority. He received
Everett's orders with toleration, and re-translated them with decision.
"Certainly, sir, I understand what you mean precisely. What you require
is this, that, or the other;" and the young gentleman found himself
meekly gathering views that never had emanated from his own bosom.
Nevertheless he took the most profound interest in the building up of
his suit, and constantly invented excuses to drop in upon Mr. Lucas and
see how the work was getting on.

Meanwhile, at home he, with the Browne girls, especially with Lily, the
youngest, often discussed the coming "At Home." Lily wondered what Lady
Charlton was like, if she had any daughters, whether there would be
dancing. Everett had never seen his hostess; thought, however, he had
heard there were daughters, but sincerely hoped they wouldn't dance;
for, although the Browne girls had taught him to waltz, he was conscious
he did them small credit as pupil.

"I'm sure it will be a splendid party!" cried Lily the enthusiastic.
"How I wish some good fairy would just transport me there in the middle
of the evening, so that I might have a peep at you in all your glory!"

"I wish with all my heart you were going too, Lil," said Everett; "I
shan't know a soul, I'm sure." And tho