p to bring in one of his daughters. This saved Miss
Oliphant's party from the collapse which threatened it. Every one took
the cue from the great people. Even Mrs Pottinger accepted the arm of
the curate, and the ardent youths, who had all arrived under the
delusion that Miss Rosalind was the hostess, forgot their
disappointment, and vowed to see the youngsters through with it.

"Oh, Duke!" said Jill, hanging affectionately on her noble escort's arm,
"are you liking it? Do try and like it! It's Tom's and my first party,
and we want it to be a jolly one."

"I never enjoyed a party half so much," said His Grace.

Jill thought him at that moment almost as nice as dear Mr Armstrong.

"Jill," said Tom, waylaying his sister at the door, "we might have cut
the herrings in three after all. Never mind, some of them will be able
to have two goes. I'll see you do. Good old Jilly. Isn't it going off
prime? And you know, the fireworks are still to come!"

It was too severe a strain on the gravity of some of the guests when
they beheld each his "go" of lukewarm herring, cocoa-nut, coffee-ice,
and penny bun, with a single plate to accommodate the whole, on the
board before him. But the laughter, if it reached the ears of the
genial host and hostess, was taken by them as a symptom of delight, in
which they heartily shared.

Tom, as he cast his eye down the festive board--object of so much
solicitude and physical exertion--never felt happier in his life. More
than half of the company would be able to get a second helping of fish
and bun!

"Wire in," said he to his guests generally, and to the younger Lady
Marigold, his next neighbour, in particular, "before it gets cold.
Awfully sorry the cocoa-nut milk wasn't enough to go round, so Jill and
I thought--"

Here a guilty look from Jill pulled him up. Dear old Jilly, he wouldn't
let out on her for worlds.

A good many eyes turned curiously to where the Duke sat with his "go"
before him. Those who were quick at observing details noticed that he
had ranged his cocoa-nut and ice on the edge of his plate, and was
beginning to attack his herring with every sign of relish. His portion
consisted mostly of hard roe, for which he had no natural predilection,
but this evening he seemed to enjoy it, helping it down with occasional
bites at the bun, and keeping up a cheerful conversation the while.

The Bishop, too, who had a tail, was making a capital meal, as were also
sev