But her mother merely took up her cigarette and blew a cloud of smoke. As she did so the door of the drawing-room was pushed open by some one, and a graceful girl in a long sable-trimmed cloak and a French toque came slowly into the room, ghastly pale, and yet so pretty! She looked distinctly dazed--no wonder, poor alien!--as she contemplated this brilliantly lighted room, the crowd of gaily dressed people all playing cards and smoking cigarettes. Even Joseline was sharply sensible of the strangeness of this new life--so near, yet so unknown. Directly facing her, a yellow-haired woman--her beautiful bare shoulders emerging from a hazardously low yellow gown--with a cigarette half-way to her mouth, stared at the new-comer with eyes of stony incredulity. For about the space of ten seconds a deadly stillness reigned. The arrival paused, and in that time Lady Mulgrave saw and realised, the amazing likeness to a certain picture in the red saloon; also that this graceful, well-dressed personage was the bog-trotter girl, as she mentally called her. Her husband, who was now in the room, said-- “Lottie, here is----” “Oh ... I know.... I see,” she answered quickly, and, putting down her cigarette, she rustled forward, took her stepdaughter’s hand in hers, and administered an elaborate embrace. “Dearest, you are welcome--so welcome. And here is my girl Tito,” she added, in her sweet voice, waving forward a petite figure in a bright red gown, with bright, dark eyes. For a moment Joseline hesitated, and then she stooped and kissed Tito, murmuring in a soft, broken whisper, “I do hope you will like me, me dear! and we will be friends.” Tito was taken completely aback, but from that moment her heart was enlisted by this sweetly pretty creature, with the lofty air and ridiculous brogue. “Elgitha,” said his lordship, “let me present your niece to you,” and he led her formally to a sofa, on which was seated the stately dowager in velvet, with her beautiful white hair turned off her face over a cushion. The marchioness rose and warmly embraced the girl, and added, in a subdued aside, “What a _likeness_!” There were more introductions, a little talk, chiefly carried on by his lordship, and then he said-- “Tito, will you take your sister away to her room and look after her? We had a hideous crossing.” “I’m sure you must be dead,” said Tito, leading the way, “and glad of a rest and supper. I’ll introduce you to your room and your maid.” “Maid? Oh, no. For goodness sake----” “Why, of course a maid! Mother has two--one for her clothes, and one for her hair! Here we are”--and she ushered Joseline into a lofty bedroom on the first floor. “Is it not nice?” “’Tis elegant! ’tis grand”--gazing about at the silk hangings, silver looking-glass, and French furniture. “Just beautiful.” “Do let me help you off with your wraps! Dear me! how different you are to what we expected!” “Yes?”--sitting down wearily. “What _did_ you expect?”