, which was lying on her work-table, while I was in the act
of introducing Carr to her; and before that lady's politeness to Carr
would allow her to turn from him to expostulate, Charles was on his
knees beside Ralph, wiping the offending stain.

"'Out, d----d spot!' or rather series of spots. What, Aurelia! you don't
wish it rubbed any more? Good! I will turn my attention to the
_Aubusson_ carpet. Ha! triumph! Here at least I am successful. Aunt
Mary, you have no conception how useful your handkerchief is. The amount
of tea or dirt, or both, which is leaving the carpet and taking refuge
in your little square of cambric will surprise you when you see it. Ah!"
rising from his knees as I brought up Carr, having by this time
presented him to Sir George. "Very happy to see you, Mr. Carr. Most kind
of you to come. Evelyn, are you pouring out some tea for Mr. Carr?
Nature requires support before a last rehearsal. May I introduce you to
my cousin Miss Derrick?"

After Carr had also been introduced to Aurelia, who, however, was still
too much absorbed in her tea-gown to take much notice of him, he seemed
glad to retreat to a chair by Evelyn, who gave him his tea, and talked
pleasantly to him. He was very shy at first, but he soon got used to us,
and many were the curious glances shot at him by the rest of the party
as tea went on. There was to be a last rehearsal immediately afterwards,
so that he might take part in it; and there was a general unacknowledged
anxiety on the part of all the actors as to how he would bear that
crucial test on which so much depended. I was becoming anxious myself,
being in a manner responsible for him.

"You're not nervous, are you?" I said, taking him aside when tea was
over. "Only act half as well as you did on the steamer and you will do
capitally."

"Yes, I am nervous," he replied, with a short uneasy laugh. "It is
enough to make a fellow nervous to be set down among a lot of people
whom he has never seen before--to act a principal part, too. I had no
idea it was going to be such a grand affair or I would not have come. I
only did it to please you."

Of course I knew that, and I tried to reassure him, reminding him that
the audience would not be critical, and how grateful every one was to
him for coming.

"Tell me who some of the people are, will you?" he went on. "Who is that
tall man with the fair mustache? He is looking at us now."

"That is Charles, the eldest son," I replied; "and