Mr. Hirsch's eyes were almost starting out of his head, partly in admiration of the girl whom he now discovered to be exceedingly beautiful. "Gott in Himmel!" he muttered, "I believe I have half a crown an' two shillings." "Capital!" cried Ned. "Simmonds, take the plate round, and then bring it to Miss Graham." "Admirable! Admirable! Blackborough, _mon cher!_ You have imagination!" exploded Mr. Hirsch, fumbling excitedly in his pockets. "What luck! I have a two-florin bit, and I swore at them when they gave it me! Ah! young lady! one does not often meet one so old--a thousand pardons, mademoiselle, but at your age one need not be so afraid." His good-natured face was brimful of kindliness and honest enjoyment, and Aura responded to it. "You needn't be in the least afraid," she smiled, "I shall be twenty-one on New Year's Day." The information was welcome to at least two of the party, and the others, carried away out of the conventional for the time, applauded the confidence. "Soh!" exclaimed Mr. Hirsch, who was now busy with coins and a silver salver, while the butler and two footmen stood behind him sniggering. "Aha! young lady, you began a new era; ah! we must all send you a--what do you call _étrennes_ in English to commemorate this extraordinary--Mein Gott! Has any one a three-penny bit?" So with much laughter, Lady Smith-Biggs absolutely contributing from a very small purse a whole five-shilling piece, a complete set of coins was handed to Aura. "With the company's compliments, Miss," said the butler. "That ends your hours of innocence, Miss Graham," remarked Ned Blackborough gravely, as the ladies left the room. It did not end Aura's ordeal, however, for, once in the drawing-room, Lady Smith-Biggs begged to be introduced in form. "Oh! I am sorry," said Aura innocently, reaching up to the good lady's outstretched waggling hand; "but I always shake hands lower down. Is that the right way?" The question verged on the impossible, since Lady Smith-Biggs lived in the highest circles. But she ignored it, and all her good breeding did not prevent her descending on the girl with a perfect cataract of questions. Where did she live, who was her father, had she any brothers or sisters? Aura began to grow restive. "No!" she replied shortly; then fearing she had been too incisive, added, "I have often wished I had. I should have liked them." Helen Tressilian coming to the rescue looked at her with soft approving eyes. "They would have liked you, I'm sure. I expect you are very fond of children." The girl turned to her impulsively. "Yes--very! You don't know how often I've wished that I had a baby." It was worse than the sixpence. Lady Smith-Biggs gasped. Her matronly breast heaved. She cast a nervous glance towards her daughter, who was providentially occupied in looking at Miss Vyvyan's lace-work.