'

She sat down to a meal, but could not swallow.

'I feel sure I've passed--I feel sure--'

And she fell from the chair, to all appearances stone-dead.

They took her upstairs, undressed her, sent for the doctor. When he
came, she had been lying for half-an-hour conscious, but mute. She
looked gravely at him, and said, as if repeating a lesson:

'The delicacy of a young lady's nervous system unfits her for such a
strain.'

'Undoubtedly,' repeated the doctor, with equal gravity.

'But,' she added eagerly, 'let Mr. Barmby know at once that I have
passed.'

'He shall know at once,' said the doctor.

CHAPTER 3

A lady who lived at Kilburn, and entertained largely in a house not
designed for large entertainment, was 'at home' this evening. At eleven
o'clock the two drawing-rooms contained as many people as could sit and
stand with semblance of comfort; around the hostess, on the landing,
pressed a crowd, which grew constantly thicker by affluence from the
staircase. In the hall below a 'Hungarian band' discoursed very loud
music. Among recent arrivals appeared a troupe of nigger minstrels,
engaged to give their exhilarating entertainment--if space could be
found for them. Bursts of laughter from the dining-room announced the
success of an American joker, who, in return for a substantial cheque,
provided amusement in fashionable gatherings. A brilliant scene. The
air, which encouraged perspiration, was rich with many odours; voices
endeavouring to make themselves audible in colloquy, swelled to a
tumultuous volume that vied with the Hungarian clangours.

In a corner of the staircase, squeezed behind two very fat women in very
low dresses, stood Horace Lord. His heated countenance wore a look of
fretful impatience; he kept rising upon his toes in an endeavour to
distinguish faces down in the hall. At length his expression changed,
and with eager eyes he began to force a way for himself between the
fat women. Not unrewarded with glaring glances, and even with severe
remarks, he succeeded in gaining the foot of the staircase, and came
within reach of the persons for whom he had been waiting. These were
Mrs. Damerel and Fanny French. The elder lady exhibited a toilet of
opulence corresponding with her mature charms; the younger, as became a
_debutante_, wore graceful white, symbol of her maiden modesty.

'You promised to be early,' said Horace, addressing Mrs. Damerel,
but regarding Fanny, who stood in con