n, and no one trying to make
themselves agreeable to you! Oh, fie! this will never do--and you, so to
speak, the lion of the party."

"Pray don't say that, Mrs. Meadowsweet, I hate being a lion."

"But you can't help it, my good young sir. You, who represent our
Gracious Sovereign Lady's Army. Now, where's that girl of mine?
Beatrice! Trixie! Bee!"

Captain Bertram was amazed at the shrill and far-sounding quality of
Mrs. Meadowsweet's voice. It distressed him, for anything not ultra
refined jarred upon this sensitive young officer's nerves; but he
trusted that the result would be satisfactory, and that Beatrice, whose
motions he began to liken to a poem, would put in a speedy appearance.

She was talking to Mr. Jones, however, and when her mother called her,
she and the curate approached together.

"Beatrice, this poor young man--Captain Bertram, the hero of the
evening, is all alone. Not a soul to amuse him or entertain him."

"Mother, you mistake," answered Beatrice, "Captain Bertram is being
entertained by you."

"Hoots, child! What should an old lady have to say to a gay young lad?"

"Plenty, I assure you. I am being delightfully amused," replied the
captain.

He gave Beatrice an angry look which she would not see.

"I want to talk to Jane about the supper," said the young lady in a calm
voice. "Captain Bertram, may I introduce you to Mr. Jones?"

Again she flew lightly away, and the captain owned to himself that the
tennis party at the Gray House was a very dull affair.

Supper, however, made amends for much. The incongruous elements were not
so apparent. Everybody was hungry, and even the most fastidious had to
acknowledge the fare of the best. Captain Bertram quite retrieved his
character in Beatrice Meadowsweet's eyes, so well did he help her in
serving her guests. Matty, Alice and Sophy Bell forgave him for his
abrupt departure earlier in the evening from the charms of their
society, when he helped them each twice to lobster salad.

Captain Bertram was not at all averse to the charms of a small
flirtation. He was forced to remain for a few days in the remote little
world-forgotten town of Northbury, and it occurred to him as he helped
the Bells to lobster salad, and filled up Miss Matty's glass more than
once with red currant wine, that Beatrice could solace him a good deal
during his exile from a gayer life. He was absolutely certain at the
present moment that the best way to restore himself to