At that moment they were joined by a tall, handsome man, who, until that moment, had been standing alone at the billiard-table, practicing a stroke he wished to master. He sauntered to the little group. "I have not heard one word that you have been saying, but from the peculiar expression of Piercy's face, I would wager that you are talking of beauty in some shape or other," he said. "We are talking of a new star which has suddenly arisen in the fashionable skies--the beautiful, golden-haired Lady Studleigh, Lord Linleigh's daughter." "What of her?" asked Lord Charles Vivianne. "If anything interesting, tell me quickly. At this moment the click of the billiard-balls is sweeter to my ears than the praise of fair woman." "It is my opinion," said Colonel Clifford, laughing, "that in Vivianne's case 'a burnt child dreads the fire.' A little bird whispered to me some romantic story about Florence and some lovely being to whom he was devoted there." Lord Vivianne turned fiercely on him--so fiercely that those present looked grave. "It would be as well for you, Clifford," he said, "to refrain from talking of that which does not concern you." "My dear boy," replied the colonel, "I meant no harm. If I had known that Florence was a sore subject with you I would not have touched upon it." "Who said it was a sore subject?" cried Lord Vivianne, passionately. Then, seeing that in all probability a quarrel would ensue, Major Maitland interfered. "We are forgetting the subject under discussion," he said. "You asked me what it was, Lord Vivianne. We were speaking of the wonderful beauty of Lady Studleigh, the handsome earl's daughter. Have you seen her yet?" "No," he replied, "I have not." "Then, by all means, contrive to do so. The Prince of B---- is almost wild about her. Every one ought to see her, just to know what a really beautiful woman is like." Then Colonel Clifford, anxious to make up the quarrel, went off in a long and rapturous description of the fair lady's beauty and grace. "I shall be sure to see her," said Lord Vivianne, briefly. "To tell the truth, I do not feel much interested. A beautiful face is a rarity, and the chances are ten to one the owner is either a simpleton or a flirt. I, for one, shall not offer my admiration at the new beauty's shrine. _Au revoir._" And with his usual proud, careless step, Lord Vivianne walked away. The others looked curiously after him. "I never saw a man so completely changed in all my life," said Colonel Clifford. "He used to be so good-humored, fond of a jest, and able to bear any amount of teasing; and now, one word, and he is like a madman. I shall begin to think what I have heard of him is true." "What is that?" asked the Honorable Charlie Balsover. "I was told that he fell in love at Florence. I did not hear all the particulars, but I was told that he completely lost his heart there." "He never had a heart to lose," said one. "Who was the lady?" asked another.