At Highclose Lettie made a stir. Among the little belles of the countryside, she was decidedly the most distinguished. She was brilliant, moving as if in a drama. Leslie was enraptured, ostentatious in his admiration, proud of being so well infatuated. They looked into each other’s eyes when they met, both triumphant, excited, blazing arch looks at one another. Lettie was enjoying her public demonstration immensely; it exhilarated her into quite a vivid love for him. He was magnificent in response. Meanwhile, the honoured lady of the house, pompous and ample, sat aside with my mother conferring her patronage on the latter amiable little woman, who smiled sardonically and watched Lettie. It was a splendid party; it was brilliant, it was dazzling. I danced with several ladies, and honourably kissed each under the mistletoe—except that two of them kissed me first, it was all done in a most correct manner. “You wolf,” said Miss Wookey archly. “I believe you are a wolf—a veritable rôdeur des femmes—and you look such a lamb too—such a dear.” “Even my bleat reminds you of Mary’s pet.” “But you are not my pet—at least—it is well that my Golaud doesn’t hear you——” “If he is so very big——” said I. “He is really; he’s beefy. I’ve engaged myself to him, somehow or other. One never knows how one does those things, do they?” “I couldn’t speak from experience,” said I. “Cruel man! I suppose I felt Christmasy, and I’d just been reading Maeterlinck—and he really is big.” “Who?” I asked. “Oh—He, of course. My Golaud. I can’t help admiring men who are a bit avoirdupoisy. It is unfortunate they can’t dance.” “Perhaps fortunate,” said I. “I can see you hate him. Pity I didn’t think to ask him if he danced—before——” “Would it have influenced you very much?” “Well—of course—one can be free to dance all the more with the really nice men whom one never marries.” “Why not?” “Oh—you can only marry one——” “Of course.” “There he is—he’s coming for me! Oh, Frank, you leave me to the tender mercies of the world at large. I thought you’d forgotten me, Dear.” “I thought the same,” replied her Golaud, a great fat fellow with a childish bare face. He smiled awesomely, and one never knew what he meant to say.