Was it, perhaps, the age he lived in? the _blasé_, free-thinking, free-living set he had become identified with, tipping the delicately adjusted balance to the wrong side. However, that might be, the hour had gone by when anyone could save Eileen; it must now be either radiant joy or heart-broken misery. And meanwhile, into her beautiful eyes, noting also the delicately moulded form and exquisite skin, Lawrence looked that vague caress, with a willfully blind indifference to the future. He only knew that she was entrancingly fair to gaze upon; and he had not by any means suffered from the boredom he had anticipated, before yielding to his mother’s persuasions. He chatted on a little while casually now, and then suddenly brought the colour flaming to her cheeks by saying, with a charming air of persuasion: “If I am not too premature, Eileen, will you promise me the first dance, and the supper-dance on Thursday? I feel it’s rather cheek asking you so soon; but I shall get so bored doing the host all the evening; I wanted to make quite sure of the two dances that matter the most.” Under the lowered lids her eyes shone. She had so hoped he would ask her for the supper-dance; the event of the evening at their merry dances, and yet had hardly dared to hope. Still, with an exquisite flush, she bantered him a little. “But you may change your mind by Thursday! It seems a long way off yet, and it would be so awkward for you if you did.” He laughed lightly. “I’ll promise to tell you if I do, I’ll go down on my knees and implore your pity and clemency, and your permission to ask someone else.” She laughed with him, and then he added, “Mind, I don’t say I shall be content with those two only, but I daren’t claim another now. Perhaps, if my duties as host allow me another opportunity, you will again be kind?” She said nothing, but glanced away from him, feeling deliriously happy; and at the same moment Paddy emerged from the garden, with Jack and Ted Masterman, one on either side of her. Lawrence got up at once. “Here comes your sister,” he remarked, “with her usual train of admirers. If you will not mind making excuses for me, I will say good-by, as I have to ride on to Carlingford;” and he hurried away. “Where’s his august majesty off to, in such a hurry?” asked Paddy, as she came up. “I was just going to ask him to reserve the supper-dance for me, as I always like a supper-partner who thinks it is too much trouble to talk, and so leaves more time for eating.” “He had to ride on to Carlingford,” said Eileen, rising, “so he asked me to excuse him to you. How do you do, Mr Masterman? I am glad to hear you are going to remain for the ball after all.” “Thank you,” Ted answered heartily. “I wouldn’t have missed it for anything, if I could possibly help it.” “Mr Masterman has just saved my life, or at any rate my beauty,” remarked Paddy. “What do you think I ought to do?” “How?” questioned Eileen.