“It’s vary good of you, I’m shaw,” said that personage, after the usual greeting, “vary good to do us the ’onour of being present this hevening. Will you keindly step this way?” Peace was conducted by his host towards one of the side tables; here he was introduced to a quiet, sedate, bald-headed, respectable-looking man, whom Henry Adolphus informed him was Mr. Jakyl. This was Lord Ethalwood’s butler. Had he not been informed otherwise Peace would have concluded that it was his lordship himself. Mr. Jakyl was reticent by nature; the few words he did utter, however, were courteous and patronising enough. The butler, however, had so many persons to see, and such a number of little arrangements to make, that he did not remain many minutes in one place. He was constrained to leave Peace rather abruptly. “What wine will you take, Mr. Peace?” said Henry Adolphus. “None at present, I thank you,” returned our hero. “You must ’ave one glass with me. What say you――champagne?” “Thank you, yes.” Two glasses of champagne were filled, and the burglar and the flunkey hobbed and nobbed. Presently the latter’s attention was called to another part of the room. Soon after his departure Peace caught sight of Nelly threading her way through the throng. He hastened towards her. “You here!” said he in a whisper, when he had reached her side. “Me――yes. Is there anything surprising in that?” returned she, with a toss of the head. “Well, I don’t know that it’s surprising; it’s gratifying to me, at any rate, and makes me feel supremely happy.” “Does it?” “Of course, you know it does. How is it you have never shown up since that night? I’ve been watching the hours.” “There, that will do. Spare yourself the trouble o’ talkin’ like a booby. That sort o’ thing won’t go down here.” “You are a most extraordinary girl,” returned Peace. “Hang me if I know what to make of you. At one time I thought I was a bit of a favourite, but now――――” “Well, what are you a sayin’?” “Now you positively flout me at every turn. Of all the persons in this assembly you are the only one I know.” “Ye doesn’t know much on me, do ’ee?” “Not much, but I want to know more. I wish to become better acquainted with one who has made so great, so favourable an impression on me.” “What brought yer here if yer doesn’t know any on ’em?” “Because I was invited.” The weak-eyed bass-viol player and the military-looking cornet performer now came forward and offered their hands to Peace, and his conversation with Nelly was therefore brought to a premature close for awhile. Peace discovered in the course of conversation with his two fellow musicians that an addition had been made to the orchestra――a harpist and a flutist had volunteered their services. “But positively I tremble,” observed the young gentleman with the weak eyes. “What at?” cried Peace.