Cleopatra took up her programme and ran her eyes over the series of scratches which did duty for names opposite the dances. "I don't know if you deserve one," she whispered coquetishly. "Don't say that. As you are strong, be merciful." She handed him the card with a laugh. "You can have that valse," she said, indicating one far down, "by that time I will be released from durance vile." Errington scribbled his name, and giving her back the card, was about to renew the conversation, when she dismissed him imperiously. "Now you have got what you wanted, go away. I have a number of people to talk to." "A lot of fools," he muttered peevishly. "Possibly--we can't all be Ravenswoods, you know." "Maraquita!" "Hold your tongue," she said, in a fierce whisper, "do you want to compromise me before all these people? Go away, and don't come near me till our valse." "And afterwards?" "Entirely depends upon the humour I am in." He took his dismissal in a sufficiently sulky manner, which made Mrs. Veilsturm smile blandly, on seeing which he turned away with a stifled curse. It was extraordinary, the change in this man, who, from being a good-natured-enough fellow, had suddenly changed, through his wife's cruelty and his temptress's caprices, into a morose, disagreeable individual, whom nobody cared to speak with. "Is that Sir Guy Errington?" asked a soft voice behind him. "See if it is, Mr. Macjean." "There is no need," responded Errington with forced civility, turning round to Otterburn and Miss Shelton. "You have very sharp eyes." "Ah, you see I knew what your costume was going to be," said Victoria, who looked wonderfully pretty as Flora Macdonald. "Aunt Jelly told me." "By the way, how is Aunt Jelly?" "She's not at all well," replied Victoria, reproachfully, "and you have not been near her for some weeks." "More pleasantly employed, eh?" said Otterburn, laughing, for which he was rewarded by a fierce glance from Errington. "I've been busy," he said briefly. "I'll call shortly. Hope you'll enjoy this foolery, Miss Sheldon." Jerking out these polite sentences he went off, leaving the young couple looking after him in undisguised astonishment. "I don't know what's come over Sir Guy," said Macjean, as they pursued their way towards the conservatory, "he used to be such a good-tempered fellow." "Oh, _cherchez la femme_." "Wouldn't have to seek far I'm afraid," replied Angus, glancing at the distant form of Mrs. Veilsturm. "She's a horrid woman," said Victoria, viciously, as they entered the conservatory, and found a comfortable nook. "I quite agree with you." "You shouldn't talk of your hostess in that way," observed Miss Sheldon reprovingly. "But I say, you know," replied Otterburn, rather bewildered at this sudden change of front, "you say----" "I say lots of things I do not mean." "I wish I could be sure of that." "Indeed why?" "Because--oh! you understand?"