htful things to eat, disguised under French names, and looking so
pretty that it seemed a sin to disturb the dishes. Music, lights,
interesting people all around, at whom it was a pleasure to look, and
who looked back in their turn, as if equally pleased by what they saw.
Steve grew quite frisky in his enjoyment, and Philippa and the Hermit
became delightfully and unconsciously absorbed in their own
conversation. The little party lingered over dessert, loath to leave so
interesting a position, but the settees in the hall were presently
discovered to afford an even better vantage-ground for observing their
neighbours.

Steve came over and demanded a place beside his three younger sisters.
"Neil is submitting the synopsis of his next book to Phil. You seem
much jollier over here," he said innocently, and the girls watched
Philippa's absorbed face in an ecstasy of admiration.

"_Doesn't_ she do it well? Who would think, to look at her, that the
very title is beyond her comprehension?"

They turned aside to hide their smiles, and became once more absorbed in
their old occupation. Fascinating groups of people appeared at every
moment, and it was no use deciding that you would have your next new
dress made exactly like this one, and making surreptitious sketches on
the back of the menu card, for it was no sooner lost to sight than
another appeared fifty times more distracting.

"I do feel a worm among them all!" grumbled Madge; but when Steve
considerately offered to take her home, she said, "Thank you, dear; I'm
enjoying it dreadfully. I wouldn't go for _worlds_.--Hope, there is a
girl over there to the right who is staring at you with all her eyes.
Pretend to look after this man and you'll see her. There--by the lady
in blue."

Hope looked, exclaimed in surprise, and the next moment she and the
strange girl had risen and walked forward to meet each other in the
middle of the hall.

"Miss Bennett, is it really you?"

"Hope Charrington! The idea of meeting you here! I've so often wanted
to see you again! Sit down here and talk to me for a minute. Are those
your sisters? They are not like you--not so pretty; but the one with
the violets looks very smart. You are thin, but you are one of those
horrid creatures who always look nice. What do you think of me? Do I
look worn? Brides always look wrecks; and I vowed I wouldn't, but I'm
tired to death already. I've come up to buy my clothes. It's to be in
Fe