The centre of the ceiling was filled with an oval picture representing St. Patrick receiving Pagans into the true faith. The walls were white painted, the panels were gold-listed. There were pillars at both ends of the room, and in a top gallery, behind a curtain of evergreen plants, Liddell's orchestra continued to pour an uninterrupted flood of waltz melody upon the sea of satin, silk, poplin, and velvet that surged around the buffet, angrily demanding cream ices, champagne, and claret-cup. Every moment the crowd grew denser, and the red coats of the Guards and the black corded jackets of the Rifles stained like spots of ink and blood the pallor of the background. A few young men looked elegant and shapely in the velvet and stockings of Court dress. One of these was Fred Scully. He was with May, who, the moment she caught sight of Alice, made frantic efforts to reach her. 'My dear, did anyone ever look so nice! You are as sweet--well, a little sweeter--than you generally are! How do you do, Mr. Harding? And tell me, Alice, what do you think of my dress?' May was in cream faille with ruchings of tulle. A beautiful piece of white lilac nestled upon her right breast. 'You are very nice, May, and I think the white sets off your hair to advantage.' 'Well, good-bye dear, Fred and I are going into the next room; one is so pushed about here, but there are nice large velvet sofas there where one can sit and talk. I advise you to come.' In the reposing shadows of rich velvet and sombre hangings women leaned over the sofas, talking to men in uniform, while two strange-looking creatures, in long garments, walked up and down the room--Dons from Trinity, who argued with Mr. Adair earnestly. 'He is one of the lights of your county, is he not?' said Harding, indicating Mr. Adair. 'Oh, yes,' replied Alice, 'he took honours and a gold medal at Trinity College.' 'I know he did, and a capacity for passing competitive examinations is the best proof of a man's incapacity for everything else.' 'Do you know him?' 'Yes, a little. He wears his University laurels at forty, builds parish schools, and frightens his neighbours with the liberality of his opinions and the rectitude of his life.' 'But have you seen his pamphlets on the amalgamation of the poor houses?' said Alice, astonished at the slight consideration afforded to the rural genius. 'I have heard of them. It appears he is going in for politics; but his politics will be on a par with his saw-mill, and his farmyard in concrete. Mr. Adair is a well-known person. Every county in England, Ireland, and Scotland, possesses and is proud of its Mr. Adair.' Alice wondered for some moments in silence; and when suddenly her thoughts detached themselves, she said: 'We didn't see you in the ladies' drawing-room.' 'I was very busy all the morning. I had two articles to write for one of my papers and some books to review.'