eatest _parti_ in the kingdom. The idea was like wine, and went to the
Contessa's head.

She had in this interval of excitement a brief little note from Lucy,
which startled her beyond measure for the moment. It was to ask the
exact names of Bice. "You shall know in a few days why I ask, but it is
necessary they should be written down in full and exactly," Lucy said.
The Contessa had half forgotten, in the new flood of life about her,
what was in Lucy's power, and the further advantage that might come of
their relations, and she did not think of this even now, but felt with
momentary tremor as if some snare lay concealed under these simple
words. After a moment's consideration, however, she wrote with a bold
and flowing hand:

"SWEET LUCY--The child's name is Beatrice Ersilia. You cannot, I am
sure, mean her anything but good by such a question. She has not
been properly introduced, I know--I am fantastic, I loved the Bice,
and no more.

"DARLING, A TE."

This was signed with a cipher, which it was not very easy to make out--a
little mystery which pleased the Contessa. She thus involved in a
pleasant little uncertainty her own name, which nobody knew.

CHAPTER XLV.

THE BALL.

Lady Randolph's ball was one of the first of the season, and as it was
the first ball she had ever given, and both Lucy and her husband were
favourites in society, it was looked forward to as the forerunner of
much excitement and pleasure, and with a freshness of interest and
anticipation which, unless in April, is scarcely to be expected in town.
The rooms in Park Lane, though there was nothing specially exquisite or
remarkable in their equipment, were handsome and convenient. They formed
a good background for the people assembled under their many lights
without withdrawing the attention of any one from the looks, the
dresses, the bright eyes, and jewels collected within, which, perhaps,
after all, is an advantage in its way. And everybody who was in town was
there, from the Duchess, upon whom the Contessa had designs of so
momentous a character, down to those wandering young men-about-town who
form the rank and file of the great world and fill up all the corners.
There was, it is true, not much room to dance, but a bewildering amount
of people, great names, fine toilettes, and beautiful persons.

The Contessa timed her arrival at the most effective momen