ure. Very quietly and without attracting Basil's attention, Colonel
Mostyn raised his glass and looked at the box. His gaze was steadfast
for some minutes, then he gave utterance to a prolonged sigh.

"That will do," he said to himself.

Like the diplomatist that he was, Colonel Mostyn said never a word, but
when the act was ended, he turned to Basil.

"I see a lady, an old friend of mine, and I am going to spend a few
minutes with her."

He went to the box, and had the satisfaction of seeing that Basil never
removed his glass. When he returned to his own seat, the heir of
Ulverston said, somewhat eagerly:

"Who is that lady, colonel, with whom you have been speaking?"

"My dear boy," he replied, "one chignon is just like another; which do
you mean?"

"There is no chignon in this case. I mean the lady with whom you have
been speaking."

"That is Lady Amelie Lisle," he replied, briefly.

"Amelie Lisle!" repeated Basil; "but who is she?"

"If you wish to know her pedigree, you must consult Burke's Peerage. I
can only remember that she is the daughter of Lord Grayson, who married
a French duchess, and rumor says she is the loveliest and most
accomplished woman in England."

"Is she married?" was the next question.

"Yes; she married Lord Lisle, and rumor, always busy with beautiful
women, says again that she is not too happy. Do you know Lord Lisle?"

"No; I do not remember having ever seen him."

"When you do, you will realize what it is for a man to be all animal. He
eats well, sleeps well, drinks well; he rides out a great deal in the
fresh air; he is tall and portly, never, perhaps, read a book through in
his life, good humored, generous in his way, but obstinate as a--well,
as a woman."

"And is that lovely lady married to such a man?"

"Yes; the lovely lady was very young, and perhaps his fortune tempted
her. She is all fire and poetry, plays with passion as children play
with sharp knives."

"Will you introduce me?" asked Basil Carruthers.

"My dear Basil," replied the wily diplomatist, with an air of assumed
frankness, "I really do not think you would like her. She is fond of
balls, of dancing, of all sorts of amusements that you despise. If I
introduce you to anybody at all, it must be to Minerva in disguise."

"I should not like Minerva," was the abrupt reply.

"Well, as you seem anxious, I will undertake it. We are going to the
Duchess of Hexham's ball tomorrow evening. Lady Amelie Lisle