tair to stair; that pretty
women paused in their upward or downward progress to look at him, and
invariably with a look of admiration for his grave, handsome face.

When he got to the top of the stairs Ericson found his hostess, and
shook hands with her. Lady Seagraves was an effusive woman, who was
always delighted to see any of her friends; but she felt a special
delight at seeing the Dictator, and she greeted him with a special
effusiveness. Her party was choking with celebrities of all kinds,
social, political, artistic, legal, clerical, dramatic; but it would not
have been entirely triumphant if it had not included the Dictator. Lady
Seagraves was very glad to see him indeed, and said so in her warm,
enthusiastic way.

'I'm so glad to see you,' Lady Seagraves murmured. 'It was so nice of
you to come. I was beginning to be desperately afraid that you had
forgotten all about me and my poor little party.'

It was one of Lady Seagraves' graceful little affectations to pretend
that all her parties were small parties, almost partaking of the nature
of impromptu festivities. Ericson glanced around over the great room
crammed to overflowing with a crowd of men and women who could hardly
move, men and women most of whose faces were famous or beautiful, men
and women all of whom, as Soame Rivers said, had their names in the
play-bill; there was a smile on his face as he turned his eyes from the
brilliant mass to Lady Seagraves' face.

'How could I forget a promise which it gives me so much pleasure to
fulfil?' he asked. Lady Seagraves gave a little cry of delight.

'Now that's perfectly sweet of you! How did you ever learn to say such
pretty things in that dreadful place? Oh, but of course; I forgot
Spaniards pay compliments to perfection, and you have learnt the art
from them, you frozen Northerner.'

Ericson laughed. 'I am afraid I should never rival a Spaniard in
compliment,' he said. He never knew quite what to talk to Lady Seagraves
about, but, indeed, there was no need for him to trouble himself, as
Lady Seagraves could at all times talk enough for two more.

So he just listened while Lady Seagraves rattled on, sending his glance
hither and thither in that glittering assembly, seeking almost
unconsciously for one face. He saw it almost immediately; it was the
face of Helena Langley, and her eyes were fixed on him. She was standing
in the throng at some little distance from him, talking to Soame Rivers,
but she