essed the greater portion of their remarks to Gertrude, only
occasionally favoring Serena and Daniel with a word or question. To each
other they were very uncommunicative. At last, however, after Mr. Holway
had given a very full account of a "dinner dance" which he had recently
attended, "a very exclusive affair, only the best people, you know,"
Percy, who had been listening impatiently, turned toward him and
drawled:

"I remember that dance. Beastly tiresome, I judged it would be, so I
sent regrets. I heard you enjoyed yourself, old chap. Said I imagined
so, considering your company. By the way, that must be getting quite
serious, that affair of yours. When may we expect the announcement?"

Holway colored. His usual facility of speech seemed to have deserted
him.

"Announcement!" he stammered. "Announcement! What--what--"

His friend laughed.

"Oh, it's all right, old man," he observed. "Don't get excited. She's a
charming girl. No one blames you."

"Monty" continued to sputter. Gertrude was all excitement.

"Oh, how interesting!" she said. "Do tell us about her, Mr. Holway. Do I
know her?"

"Know her!" Mr. Holway's indignation was intense. "I--I don't know her
myself. He's just guying, Miss Dott. He--he thinks because he--he is so
confoundedly fascinating, and has so many--so many--

"Oh, that reminds me, Tacks," turning upon the smiling Hungerford,
"I saw a friend of yours yesterday. She looked quite desolate, quite
broken-hearted, my word she did. You were a little cruel there, weren't
you, my boy? Just a bit cruel. Everyone expected--"

He did not finish the sentence, but his expression indicated that much
was expected. It was Cousin Percy's turn to color.

"Don't be an idiot, Monty," he snapped. "That is, more of an idiot
than you can help. Don't mind him, Gertrude; he has an amazing idea of
repartee, that's all."

Serena volunteered a remark concerning the weather just then. She
observed that it might be raining, it had looked that way before dinner.
Mr. Holway possibly considered that a hint was involved; at any rate,
he rose and announced that he must be going. Gertrude begged him not
to hurry, they had all enjoyed his call so much, she said. Cousin Percy
suddenly declared that he would accompany his friend on his way, a walk
would do him good. Monty expressed no enthusiasm at the prospect of
company, but the pair left the house together.

After they had gone, Daniel turned to his wife.

"Hump