“He is not here yet,” said she. “Of course I don’t know, but I expect that he will come. There is Lady Flamington and her husband. Is she not beautiful? but very sad-looking.” “Lady Flamington—Lady Flamington! Oh! where is she?” said Rosalie, in an eager voice. But just then the lady spoken of, who was sitting some distance to the right a row in front, turned round, and seeing Miss Crokerly, rose and came toward her. Her smile was very pleasant. “I am deserting my husband for better company,” said she. “I dragged him here against his will, low be it spoken, and am paying the penalty in sulks. Your brother is easier to manage, Miss Crokerly.” “The privilege of management is not mine. I am only his sister.” The other shook her head. “You are too modest. There was never a man yet who governed himself; he couldn’t manage it. It ends in sudden death or corpulency. Both are dreadful things.” Miss Crokerly laughed. “You will perhaps have heard what heavy responsibilities I have taken upon myself lately.” “Yes; I hear you have turned chaperon,” and Lady Flamington looked across at Rosalie and smiled as pleasantly as before. Miss Crokerly introduced them. “Are you fond of private theatricals?” she asked. “I’ve never been to any,” replied Rosalie candidly. “She was an only child, and brought up very strictly,” said Miss Crokerly, at which Lady Flamington said “Oh!” and looked toward the door. She remained sitting by them till the play began, talking with both of them. At last she said to Rosalie: “Do you know, I have the oddest sensation that I have met you before.” “I don’t think so,” said Rosalie. “I have a very good memory for faces, and I have never seen you anywhere.” “Perhaps I am mistaken. People often resemble each other so curiously.” But now silence was imposed. The play had begun in earnest, and it was quite interesting enough to retain the attention. When the act was over, a song by a very well-known singer was announced; but before this came off a few late arrivals made their entrance. “There is the Golden Priest,” said Miss Crokerly. He came in with two more gentleman. He was tall and thin, with a narrow face and black hair. His eyes were deeply set and fixed close together. His nose was long, and his lips very thin and straight. He looked clever; beyond that he was scarcely prepossessing, but he was evidently made much of in that assembly. They gave him a seat upon the very first row. And yet he never ceased to preach that the pig was unclean! It was a canon of the Church. The play had more fine dresses in it than cleverness or substance, but it was received as warmly as the more deserving performances during the interludes. Everybody was in high good-humour apparently, and the next day the paper said it was the most successful entertainment and supper party Mrs. Sebberen had ever given, which, coming from such good authority, must have been the truth.