cold bath before dinner in strange company is one of
the instances. He had recognized his superb Bellona in the lady by the
garden window. For Brayder the men had nods and yokes, the ladies
a pretty playfulness. He was very busy, passing between the groups,
chatting, laughing, taking the feminine taps he received, and sometimes
returning them in sly whispers. Adrian sat down and crossed his legs,
looking amused and benignant.

"Whose dinner is it?" Ripton heard a mignonne beauty ask of a cavalier.

"Mount's, I suppose," was the answer.

"Where is he? Why don't he come?"

"An affaire, I fancy."

"There he is again! How shamefully he treats Mrs. Mount!"

"She don't seem to cry over it."

Mrs. Mount was flashing her teeth and eyes with laughter at one of her
Court, who appeared to be Fool.

Dinner was announced. The ladies proclaimed extravagant appetites.
Brayder posted his three friends. Ripton found himself under the lee of
a dame with a bosom. On the other aide of him was the mignonne. Adrian
was at the lower end of the table. Ladies were in profusion, and he
had his share. Brayder drew Richard from seat to seat. A happy man had
established himself next to Mrs. Mount. Him Brayder hailed to take the
head of the table. The happy man objected, Brayder continued urgent, the
lady tenderly insisted, the happy man grimaced, dropped into the post of
honour, strove to look placable. Richard usurped his chair, and was not
badly welcomed by his neighbour.

Then the dinner commenced, and had all the attention of the company,
till the flying of the first champagne-cork gave the signal, and a
hum began to spread. Sparkling wine, that looseneth the tongue, and
displayeth the verity, hath also the quality of colouring it. The ladies
laughed high; Richard only thought them gay and natural. They flung
back in their chairs and laughed to tears; Ripton thought only of
the pleasure he had in their society. The champagne-corks continued a
regular file-firing.

"Where have you been lately? I haven't seen you in the park," said Mrs.
Mount to Richard.

"No," he replied, "I've not been there." The question seemed odd: she
spoke so simply that it did not impress him. He emptied his glass, and
had it filled again.

The Hon. Peter did most of the open talking, which related to horses,
yachting, opera, and sport generally: who was ruined; by what horse,
or by what woman. He told one or two of Richard's feats. Fair smiles
rewarded t