"I was thinking I was out of place and wishing I was at home," replied the colonel, with a short laugh, unconsciously pulling his mustache again. "And I dare say I was wishing I had Mrs. Amory's versatility of gifts and humor. I thought she was tired and unwell when I helped her out of the carriage; but it seems that I was mistaken, or that the atmosphere of the great world has a most inspiring effect." The professor turned his spectacles upon the corner Tredennis had just left. "Ah!" he remarked quietly; "it is Bertha, is it? I fancied it might be, though it was not easy to see her face, on account of the breadth of Commander Barnacles' back. And it was you who came with her?" "Yes," said Tredennis. "I rather expected to see Mr. Arbuthnot," said the professor. "I think Richard gave me the impression that I should." "We saw Mr. Arbuthnot just before we left the house," returned the colonel. "He had been calling upon Mrs. Sylvestre." "Upon Mrs. Sylvestre!" echoed the professor, and then he added, rather softly, "Ah, she is another." "Another!" Tredennis repeated. "I only mean," said the professor, "that I am at my old tricks again. I am wondering what will happen now to that beautiful, graceful young woman." He turned his glance a little suddenly upon Tredennis' face. "Have you been to see her?" he inquired. "Not yet." "Why not yet?" "Perhaps because she is too beautiful and graceful," Tredennis answered. "I don't know of any other reason. I have not sufficient courage." "Mr. Arbuthnot has sufficient courage," said the professor. "And some of those gentlemen across the room would not shrink from the ordeal. They will all go to see her,--Commander Barnacles included,--and she will be kind to them every one. She would be kind to me if I went to see her--and some day I think I shall." He glanced across at Bertha. She was talking to Commander Barnacles, who was exhibiting as much chivalric vivacity as his breadth would allow. The rest of her circle were listening and laughing, people outside it were looking at her with interest and curiosity. "She is very gay to-night," the professor added. "And I dare say Mrs. Sylvestre could give us a better reason for her gayety than we can see on the surface." "Is there always a reason?" said the colonel. For the moment he was pleasing himself with the fancy that he was hardening his heart. But just at this moment a slight stir at one of the entrances attracted universal attention. The President had come in, and was being welcomed by his host and hostess. He presented to the inspection of those to whom he was not already a familiar object, the unimposing figure of a man past middle life, his hair grizzled, his face lined, his expression a somewhat fatigued one.