"Is this true?" asks Kitty gaily. "Are you going to rob me of my daughter? This is dreadful! What do you say, Mr. Fenton?" Mr. Fenton smiled in a ghastly manner, then hurried away muttering under his breath. "It's bad temper," observed Stewart, looking after him. "No, my dear," said Kitty airily, "it's jealousy." CHAPTER VII. MIRTH AND LAUGHTER. Kitty's supper parties were always delightful, though slightly godless. The guests were usually men and women of the world, connected with art, literature, and the drama, so a general tone of brilliancy permeated the atmosphere. The hostess herself was an admirable conversationalist, and what with the wine, the laughter, and the influence of the midnight hour, the excitement seemed contagious. Every one was amusing, and witty stories, caustic remarks, and sarcastic epigrams followed one after the other in reckless profusion. Very pretty the supper-table looked, though, it must be confessed, rather disorderly. It was not a very large table, but accommodated the present company admirably, and under the soft light of the tapers, with which the room was illuminated, the silver and glass sparked brilliantly. Half-filled glasses of champagne and burgundy, crumbs on the white table-cloth, and a general array of disorderly plates, showed that supper was over. The guests had pushed away their chairs, and were smoking and chatting, while a light breeze came in through the open French window, and somewhat cooled the temperature of the room. The smoky atmosphere, the flashing of the light on the bare shoulders of the women, gay feminine, laughter, and the general air of unconventionality, fascinated Keith as he sat beside his hostess, listening to the desultory conversation, and occasionally joining in. Slingsby was speaking about a new book which had come out, and this gave rise to a brilliant rattle of pungent wit. "It's called 'Connie's Crime,' a mixture of blood and atheism." "Yes, so they say; a hash-up of the Newgate Calendar and Queen Mab, with a dash of realism to render it attractive." "Awfully bad for the public." "Bah! they read worse in papers. _The Penny Whistle_ was bewailing the prevalence of criminal literature, yet you can't take up a night's issue without finding a divorce case or a murder--the pot calling the kettle black with a vengeance." "Don't suppose either it or shilling shockers have much to do with the morals of the public--we're all going to the deuce." "Pessimistic!" "But true. It's a game of follow my leader, with Father Adam at the head." "Gad, he ought to have arrived at his destination by this time!" "Oh! we'll all find that out when we get there." "But' you forget we start in this new country with all the old-world civilisation." "Yes, and all the old-world vices." "Which are a natural concomitant of aforesaid civilisation." "How abusive you all are," said Kitty, shrugging her shoulders; "people are not so bad as you make out."