a very
tight string were suddenly drawn round it to almost strangling
point--and it is certain that she feels as though she must scream, hit
somebody with her fan, and rush from the room in an undignified rage.
But she chokes back these purely feminine emotions--she smiles and
extends her jewelled hand.

"So good of you to come to-night!" she says sweetly. "I have been
longing to see you, Lady Errington! I dare say you know your husband is
quite an old acquaintance of mine!"

And a langourous glance, like fire seen through smoke, leaps from
beneath her silky eyelashes at Sir Philip--but he sees it not--he is
chatting and laughing gaily with Lorimer and Beau Lovelace.

"Indeed, yes!" answers Thelma, in that soft low voice of hers, which had
such a thrilling richness within it--"and it is for that reason I am
very glad to meet you. It is always pleasant for me to know my husband's
friends."

Here she raises those marvellous, innocent eyes of hers and smiles;--why
does Lady Winsleigh shrink from that frank and childlike openness of
regard? Why does she, for one brief moment, hate herself?--why does she
so suddenly feel herself to be vile and beneath contempt? God only
knows!--but the first genuine blush that has tinged her ladyship's cheek
for many a long day, suddenly spreads a hot and embarrassing tide of
crimson over the polished pallor of her satiny skin, and she says
hurriedly--

"I must find you some people to talk to. This is my dear friend, Mrs.
Rush-Marvelle--I am sure you will like each other. Let me introduce Mrs.
Van Clupp to you--Mrs. Van Clupp, and Miss Van Clupp!"

The ladies bow stiffly while Thelma responds to their prim salutation
with easy grace.

"Sir Francis Lennox"--continues Lady Winsleigh, and there is something
like a sneer in her smile, as that gentleman makes a deep and courtly
reverence, with an unmistakable look of admiration in his sleepy
tiger-brown eyes,--then she turns to Lord Winsleigh and adds in a casual
way, "My husband!" Lord Winsleigh advances rather eagerly--there is a
charm in the exquisite nobility of Thelma's face that touches his heart
and appeals to the chivalrous and poetical part of his nature.

"Sir Philip and I have known each other for some years," he says,
pressing her little fair hand cordially. "It is a great pleasure for me
to see you to-night, Lady Errington--I realize how very much my friend
deserves to be congratulated on his marriage!"

Thelma smiles. T