Mrs. Burke was the centre of a noisy group—the other end of the room. One of the men was taking off a well-known parliamentary character, and his audience was convulsed with laughter. Rowena looked across at her and sighed; then she turned to her young companion and smiled. "Well, you see what life does to those who grow old in this atmosphere! Get your own soul into fresher and clearer air, and do something before you die. Isn't it Young that says: "Time wasted is existence—us'd is life." "You ought to have lived in the mediæval days," laughed young Alan. "How you would have buckled on your man's sword and thrust him forth! Do you seriously think running down a tiger is more soul inspiring than dancing the Tango?" "Your soul would get a chance of breathing. Life without a pause is so paralysing." "We always get into metaphysics—you and I! Hulloo, here is Macdonald by all that's wonderful! The mater has beguiled him here under false pretences; he'll never stand this. Take a good look at him. He saved my life out in France—ought to have got a V.C. for it. He's a cousin of ours." Rowena took one look at the tall figure coming in at the door, and a faint flush rose to her cheeks, a breath of Highland air seemed to accompany him. He looked irreproachable in his London clothes, and yet there was some indescribable stamp about him that set him apart from the men around him. "Let me introduce him," said her young companion. "But I know him," said Rowena. Alan Graeme started forward and shook hands warmly with the General. "Awfully good of you to come! The mater's just gone into the tea room; here's some one who knows you." General Macdonald met Rowena's bright friendly eyes, with grave pleasure in his own. He held out his hand to her. "It seems a long time since we met," he said. "I have brought Mysie to town for a week or two." Alan was seized hold of by a young girl in a startling dress of black and white striped velvet, very open at the neck and back; very short in the skirt. "Oh, you slacker!" she exclaimed, putting her hand on his shoulder. "Don't you know that two lady loves await you in that further corner. They have sent me to fetch you. You promised to sing for one, and—" They moved off. General Macdonald's look of disgust made Rowena smile. "Are you at home in this company?" he asked abruptly; "it somehow does not seem to fit you." Then before she had time to reply he went on: "I am told I am old-fashioned and censorious; but a scene like this repels me. Are these the mothers of our future generation? May God help me to keep Mysie out of fashionable society." "Amen," breathed Rowena. "Give me news of the Highlands," she said. He did not respond, but looked at her in puzzled bewilderment. "Do you often attend these functions? I feel like a fish out of water. Is there nowhere we can get away from this smoke and heat? I came to see my cousin."