oils; an all-round
sportsman, I fancy; or once was!" softly.

"Never heard of him, though, in the amateur sporting world!" observed
the lady. "Never saw his name mentioned in any gentlemen's
events--tennis or golf tournaments, track athletics, rowing, and all
that."

"No?" Lord Ronsdale gazed down; half-sitting on the corner of the table,
he swung one glossy shoe to and fro.

"Perhaps he's hiding his light under a bushel?" said the lady.

The nobleman made a sound. "Perhaps!"

"I was asking Captain Forsythe about his antecedents. No one here seems
to know. Possibly you can enlighten us."

"I?" Lord Ronsdale's tone was purring. "Why should I be able to? But I
see Miss Wray," rising and walking toward the door. "My dance, don't you
know."

She gazed after him. "I wonder why Lord Ronsdale does not approve of, or
shall we say, dislikes Mr. John Steele?"

"Eh?--what?--I never noticed."

"A man notice?" She laughed. "But your game of billiards? You are
looking for some one. If I will do--?"

"Delighted!" he Said with an accent of reserve.

Meanwhile the principal subject of this conversation had been walking
slowly on the broad stone balcony toward the ball-room; there he had
stopped; then stepping to the balustrade, he stood looking off. The
night was warm; in the sky, stars seemed trying to maintain their places
between dark, floating clouds. Near at hand the foliage shimmered with
pale flashes of light; the perfumes of dew-laden flowers were like those
of an oriental bower. Faint rustlings, soft undertones broke upon the
ear from dark places; mists seemed drawn like phantom ribbons, now here,
now there. He looked at the stars; watched one of them, very small, drop
into the maw of a black-looking monster of vapor. As it vanished the
sound of music was wafted from within; John Steele listened; they were
beginning once more to dance.

He glanced around; splashes of color met the eye; hues that shifted,
mingled; came swiftly and went. In the great hall, staring Lelys and
Knellers looked down from their high, gilded frames; the glaring lights
of a great crystal chandelier threw a flood of rays over the scene at
once brilliant and dazzling. Steele stepped toward the window, paused;
his eyes seemed searching the throng. They found what they sought, a
slender, erect form, the gown soft, white, like foam; a face, animated,
joyous. For an instant only, however, he saw the beautiful features;
then as Jocelyn turned in