frank admiration in her
eyes.

'Thanks for saying so; 'tisn't often we girls pay each other
compliments. But you, you do look ever so nice in that white silk. It
becomes you perfectly.' And then, her thoughts straying suddenly from
Alice's dress, she said:

'Do you see Mr. Burke over there? If his brother died he would be a
marquis. Do you know him?'

'Yes; I met him at dinner at Dungory Castle.'

'Well, introduce him to me if you get a chance.'

'I am afraid you will find him stupid.'

'Oh, that doesn't matter; 'tis good form to be seen dancing with an
Honourable. Do you know many men in the room?'

Alice admitted she knew no one, and, lapsing into silence, the girls
scanned the ranks for possible partners. Poor Sir Richard, already very
drunk, his necktie twisted under his right ear, was vainly attempting to
say something to those whom he knew, or fancied he knew. Sir Charles,
forgetful of the family at home, was flirting with a young girl whose
mother was probably formulating the details of a new emigration scheme.
Dirty Mr. Ryan, his hands thrust deep into the pockets of his baggy
trousers, whispered words of counsel to Mr. Lynch: a rumour had gone
abroad that Captain Hibbert was going to hunt that season in Galway, and
would want a couple of horses. Mr. Adair was making grotesque attempts
to talk to a lady of dancing. On every side voices were heard speaking
of the distances they had achieved: some had driven twenty, some thirty
miles.

Already the first notes of the waltz had been shrieked out by the
cornet, and Mr. Fred Scully, with May's red tresses on his shoulder, was
about to start, when Mrs. Barton and Olive entered. Olive, in white
silk, so tightly drawn back that every line of her supple thighs, and
every plumpness of her superb haunches was seen; and the double garland
of geraniums that encircled the tulle veiling seemed like flowers of
blood scattered on virgin snow. Her beauty imposed admiration; and,
murmuring assent, the dancers involuntarily drew into lines, and this
pale, uncoloured loveliness, her high nose seen, and her silly laugh
heard, by the side of her sharp, brown-eyed mother, passed down the
room. Lord Dungory and Lord Rosshill advanced to meet them; a moment
after Captain Hibbert and Mr. Burke came up to ask for dances; a waltz
was promised to each. A circling crowd of black-coats instantly absorbed
the triumphant picture; the violinist scraped, and the harper twanged
intermitt