s, yes, of course; we'll find out a snug co-corner somewhere for a
chat. Just take my arm, will you? Let us get away from all these great
'Dons,' with their stars and crosses." And, without waiting for Kate's
reply, he drew her arm within his own, and set out in that little
shuffling trot which he always assumed when he fancied he had business
on hand.

The ridicule of being associated with such a companion would at any
other moment have overwhelmed Kate Dalton with shame; but now, whether
from the few words which Lady Hester had whispered in her ear, whether
the fact of his unauthorized appearance, or whether it were the dread of
some greater disgrace to follow, she actually felt a sense of relief in
the continuous flow of twaddle which he kept up as they passed down the
room.

"Who was that smiled as we passed?" asked he.

"Prince Midchekoff."

"Oh, that was he, was it? You must introduce me."

"Not now, pray, not now; at any other time," cried she, in perfect
terror.

"Well, but don't forget it. Zoe would never forgive me if I told her
that I lost the op-op-opportunity; she wants to know him so very much."

"Of course, at another time," said Kate, hurrying him along with
increasing speed.

"Who's he?" asked Purvis, as a tall and stately personage bowed blandly
to Kate.

"The Austrian Minister."

"Not the fellow that st-st-strangled the Emperor? Oh, I forgot; he was a
Russian, wasn't he? They got him down and ch-ch-choked him, ha, ha, ha!
There 's a man with a red moustache, so like the fellow who sells the
boubou-bouquets at the Casciui."

"A Hungarian magnate," whispered Kate.

"Is he, though? Then let's have another look at him. He has as many gold
chains about him as a shop on the Ponte Vecchio. Zoe would like him, he
's so odd."

At last, but not without great efforts, Kate succeeded in reaching a
small chamber, where two others already were seated, and whose figures
were undistinguishable in the obscurity of a studiously shaded lamp.

"Isn't it strange, she never asked for Zoe?" said Purvis, as he took
his seat on a sofa; "not to inquire for a person sick under her own
r-r-roof?"

"Lady Hester is not acquainted with Mrs. Ricketts."

"Well, but sh-sh-she ought to be. Zoe made a party for her, a d-d-d-iner
party, and had Hagg-Haggerstone and Foglass, and the rest of them. And
after all, you know, they are only b-bankers, these Onslows, and need
n't give themselves airs."

"You have a letter