"Answer me Gladys" cried the lover "I love you so much and if you will only be my wife my happiness will be complete." "Oh Lord Beaufort" cried Gladys "this is so unexpected." "Call me Mulberry!" he almost whispered. "Well Mulberry" murmured Gladys "I really dont know what to say." "Think darling" cried Mulberry, "surely you dont wish to crush all hope and happiness out of my life, my heart beats only for you Gladys, you dont wish to stop it do you?" "Oh no" earnestly replied Gladys. "Then may I take that as your acceptation of me?" enquired Mulberry. "I think you may" replied Gladys softly. Mulberry was too overpowered with joy to say a word, he merely clasped her in his arms and drew her head on to his shoulder, where it lay in a state of bliss for the space of three minutes. At length she slowly raised it and Mulberry taking one of her hands pressed it tight saying, "then darling, we may consider ourselves engaged?" "Yes Mulberry!" murmered Gladys. "Then dear accept this as a token" said Mulberry and as he spoke he slipped a handsome diamond and saphire ring on her finger. She had scarcely recovered her astonishment and pleasure when the butler entered announcing Mr. and Mrs. Vermont. CHAPTER 29 THE DINNER PARTY The Hon: Mr. and Mrs. Vermont were only the first of great numbers who flocked to Lord Beaufort's house that evening. By the time the dinner gong sounded the large drawing room was filled with ladies and gentlemen many of whom had brought instruments to play, as Mulberry intended it to be a musical evening. Mulberry eyed Gladys lovingly as he gave his arm to Mrs. Murry and escorted her to the dining room. The dinner table was a sight to behold! Pink was the colour chosen for the evening. The daintily arranged menus were set in white porcelain frames on which pink roses were beautifully painted. In the centre of the table stood a valuable vase in which large pink roses were arranged. The numerous wax candles were covered with pink shades, and among the ferns and plants which adorned the room hung little pink electric lights; and everything that could be was ornemented with pink satin ribbon and bunches of roses. It may here be said that owing to Helen's illness Lord Beaufort had not had late dinner so the sight was quite new to Gladys. Three footmen with powdered hair and chocolate and drab livery were in attendance. "Oh Mulberry what is this?" asked Gladys, pointing to one of the menus. "Oh that is the menu of my table d'hote" replied Mulberry carelessly, "this is of nightly recurrence." "How delightful!" cried Gladys and sitting down she carefully studied her menu: MENU DU DINER.