It was a gay-looking party that waited for her in the hall. The two Misses Crosby had been there to dinner, and also Mr. Hoyt and Mr. Collins, and these, with the house party, were now all arrayed in their fancy dress. As they had agreed on Christmas Day, they were all in pairs, and as of course there could be no secrecy among them, they had not yet put on their masks. Mona and Roger were very magnificent as Queen Elizabeth and Sir Walter Raleigh. Though Mona was not at all the type of the red-haired queen, she looked very handsome in the regal robes and great, flaring collar, while Roger was a veritable courtier in his picturesque garb. Daisy and Mr. Collins were Pierrette and Pierrot. Their costumes were black and white, Frenchy-looking affairs, with tossing pompons and peaked caps. The elder Miss Crosby and Jim Kenerley were Indians; and the warlike brave and the young Indian maiden looked as if they might have stepped out of the earliest pages of our country's history. The other Miss Crosby and Hal Ferris were Italian peasants in national costume. Adele and Mr. Hoyt were the most simply dressed of all, but in their plain Puritan garb they were effective and distinguished looking. Perhaps, however, it was Philip Van Reypen whose costume received the greatest applause. He had copied a picture of Bobby Shafto that had been painted by a frivolous-minded artist, and his embroidered and belaced coat of light blue silk was remindful of the period of the gayest Louis. He wore white satin knee-breeches, white silk stockings, and black slippers with enormous buckles. In accordance with the song, there were large silver buckles at his knees; and his tri-corne hat was a very marvel of gold lace and feathers. Full lace ruffles flapped at his throat and wrists, and altogether he was an absolute dandy. "You look like a valentine," said Patty, "or a birthday cake." "You do look good enough to eat," declared Adele, as she took in the gorgeous costume. "Yes, I flatter myself it's the very last touch of Shaftoism," said Philip, strutting about with an affected gait. "I say, Patty, you're all kinds of a peach yourself." "Yes, this frock is all right," said Patty, "but you simply take my breath away, Phil. I didn't know anybody could look so beautiful! I wish men dressed that way nowadays." And then everybody admired everybody else until it was time to start. Then each put on a little mask, which they were to wear at the ball until supper-time. Patty's was of light blue silk with a short fall of lace, and Philip's was of black satin. "I can't wear this thing all the way there," declared Patty, taking hers off again. "Well, put it on just before you get there," enjoined Adele. "I've taken great care that no one should know a word about our costumes, and now if we are well masked they won't be able to guess who we are. Even though they know we all came from our house, there are so many of us, they can't tell us apart."