manufactured by the masters of their craft, and approved of
by heraldic authorities, in order that the right effect of the period,
that of two hundred years back, might be maintained. Never had a ball
been carried out with such a wealth of detail.

Throughout all this, and during the many visits which Adrien found
necessary to make to Barminster, journeying backwards and forwards in
his great car, Lady Constance maintained a smiling, gentle demeanour;
but she allowed him no opportunity for explanation, seeming rather to
avoid his presence. Even Lord Barminster, watching his two dear ones
closely, was not blind to the gravity of the situation; but he trusted
to Constance's love to make matters right in the end.

At last the eventful night came. The temporary stables which the village
carpenters had been erecting close to the ordinary ones were rapidly
filling. Cars and carriages stood side by side, as guests from town and
the surrounding districts arrived; and the air resounded with the
clatter and rattle of the horses' hoofs and carriage wheels, mingled
with the hooting of motor horns.

Within the Castle all was light and mirth. Ripples of laughter and the
buzz of conversation went on incessantly, as the guests arrived in their
varied and gorgeous costumes.

The walls of the great reception rooms had all been covered with
priceless tapestry, and as far as possible made to represent the
ball-room of Antony Leroy, two hundred years ago. But the guests
themselves had not been asked to keep to any period of history or
fashion, and, therefore, it was the most incongruous crowd that had ever
gathered within the walls of Barminster Castle. Never were dresses more
regal or more magnificent, alike in materials, colour and decoration.
Cavaliers in silks and satins, with plumed hats and jewelled swords;
Crusaders in glittering mail and silver armour. Alsace peasant girls
mingled with Carmelite monks and Sicilian nuns. Shakespeare's characters
were legion--Portias, Cymbelines, Katherines and Shylocks, all laughed
and jested together, their identity concealed beneath their black velvet
masks. It seemed as if every character and fable had risen to throng the
halls of Barminster Castle that night.

Up in the gallery above the great ball-room a famous orchestra poured
forth melody, and the guests were awaiting the entrance of their host as
a signal to start dancing.

The last visitor had arrived, when Lord Barminster and his sist