appen but what will be for his greatest good," said the
colonel, gallantly.

"You may introduce him to me," said Lady Amelie, "and I will do the best
I can for him."

"You will be at the Duchess of Hexham's ball this evening?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied. "You have described your charge, Colonel Mostyn; now
I know the carte du pays. It would be better not to mention having seen
me."

"Certainly not"--

"Let me see," she interrupted. "I am to teach him what life is like in
this nineteenth century, to try to inoculate him with modern ideas; to
teach him how to appreciate the society of ladies; he shall learn his
lesson well."

There was something in her peerless face and her brilliant smile that
made Colonel Mostyn pause, and wonder if after all he had done a wise
thing.

"The boy cannot be hurt," he said to himself; "he has too much sense to
fall in love with a married lady. A violent flirtation will do him good,
and cure him of his absurd ideas."

"Your ladyship will be the benefactress of the whole family if you can
rescue our young hero, and help us make him in some degree fit for the
age he lives in."

Lady Amelie smiled; there was not much fear in her failing in anything
she undertook.

"It is not often that young men err on the side of originality and
singularity," she said; "I have always considered realism the sin of the
age. I am quite curious to see your hero, Colonel Mostyn."

"I believe he is quite as anxious to see you. Lady Lisle; he positively
asked me to introduce him to you, and that is a request he has never
made before, though I have shown him some beautiful women."

"I ought to feel flattered," said Lady Amelie, and again there was
something in her smile that made the colonel wonder whether he had done
amiss.

"We are quite in a conspiracy," he said, and Lady Lisle laughingly
assured him that all women were fond of plots.

"Your sex, my dear colonel, are so strong and so wise that it is a real
pleasure to any poor weak woman to outwit you." And Lady Amelie shot him
a glance from her beautiful eyes that made the colonel again half pity
his young kinsman.

CHAPTER IX.

Weaving the Spell.

The Duchess of Hexham bore the reputation of being a most accomplished
woman; if she excelled in anything it was certainly the giving of balls.
She had the largest, loftiest and best ball-room in London. It was never
overcrowded.

"As many flowers as possible," she was in the habit o