He had quite forgotten his censure of Archie. He clapped him on the shoulder when he appeared, with an exhortation--“Now Archie, man! shake yourself together--put your best foot foremost--make it go off! Mind we are all upon our promotion. If it is not the finest ball that has been given on Clydeside, I will never hold up my head more.” This address a little lightened Archie’s heart, still sore and heavy from the blame to which he had been subject--so undeservedly as he knew, but as nobody else was aware. And he was young, and though alarmed by the part he had himself to play, it was not in human nature not to feel some stir of exhilaration in the arrival of all that fine company, the music striking up, the crowd of other young people streaming in. What he would have thought of admission to such a scene a year ago! To be sure, this was chastened by the thought of the important part he had to play, as son of the house. He found Rosamond at his elbow, after his father had given him that exhortation. “You should ask Lady Jean first,” said the young lady, holding, as usual, her head high and not looking at him while she spoke. “Me--ask Lady Jean! to what?” he asked, with an uneasy laugh. “To dance, of course--unless the Duchess comes: is the Duchess coming? Without her you have nothing better than a baronet and his wife. Therefore, unless your father dances, you must take out Lady Jean.” “My father--dances?” cried Archie, with an uncontrollable laugh. It seemed to him the most ridiculous idea in the world. “Most gentlemen do in their own houses,” said Rosamond, “but if he does not, then you. Lady Jean first. Then Lady Marchbanks: and not for some time that little pretty woman, whose husband was knighted the other day. She is my lady too, and perhaps you would never know the difference. But please to mind what I say.” “Lady this, and Lady that--and when am I to come to you?” said Archie, taking a little courage. “Oh, I will keep one for you--not till you have got through all your duty dances. That is the disadvantage many people say of a ball in one’s own house. But I like responsibility,” said Rosamond. “It is better than thinking merely what will be most fun.”