"Yes, or see a few new faces; and here we are—and there is Lady Nobb getting out of her carriage. Oh, Philip, she has on such a smart pink silk petticoat—quite a wicked petticoat!" "Then I shall certainly make it the basis of our conversation," said Gascoigne, as he opened the door and jumped out. In a few minutes "Colonel and Mrs. Gascoigne" had been received by the aide-de-camp, and ushered into the great durbar room—a lofty, pillared apartment, with palms, rare Persian carpets, rose-shaded lamps, soft inviting lounges, beautiful curios, and many large photographs scattered here and there (the signed gift of passing guests in return for various favours received). In spite of Angel's melancholy forecast it presented a brilliant scene, with brave men in uniform, and beautiful women in their best array. The new arrivals were formally presented to their Excellencies, with whom they were on a most friendly every-day footing, and then drifted away into the crowd. "Quite a collection of strangers," said Alan Lindsay, as he attached himself pointedly to Angel. "I must say I think it's hard lines on the Lieutenant-Governor and Lady Eustace to have to invite every Tom, Dick, and Harry who write their names in the book. I suppose you have seen Mrs. Gordon to-day?" he added in a cautious undertone. "No," very sharply. "That is unusual, is it not?" he pursued; "she is not well—she was 'Darwaza Bund' when I called. I'm off in ten days' time, I—think." "Oh, are you?" said Mrs. Gascoigne, in a more cordial tone. "How glad you must be!" "I'm not glad, you know I'm not, and why," he said, fixing her with his keen eyes; "_you_ know all about it." He made a quick, eager gesture and sat down on the sofa; then he bent his head towards her and murmured, "Why—pretend?" Colonel Gascoigne, who was engaged in discussing hydrostatics and flying levels with a brother sapper, noticed this little scene,—Lindsay's assured attitude, his confidential pose. He stared for a second as if struck by some new idea, but at that instant his attention was required elsewhere. "Hullo!" exclaimed his companion, "I thought we were going to stay all night, and I've seen the L. G. look twice at his watch. Here come the Blaines, and a friend. By Jove, she _was_ worth waiting for." Philip turned and glanced casually toward the entrance, and saw Sir Evans Blaine, K.C.B., and Lady Blaine, charged with apologies, and in the act of presenting their friend, "Mrs. Waldershare."