been invited to a dance."

"You have to thank me, young people," said Dick, with exaggerated
self-satisfaction. "I happened to meet young Maltby--he's home for a
spell; fancy he's sent down from Oxford--and he asked me to go rabbiting
with him. He's not much of a shot, though he is a baronet's son and
heir, and I rather think I put him up to a wrinkle or two. Anyway, the
other day he mentioned that they were going to have a dance--quite an
informal affair--and asked if I'd care to go; and Lady Maltby's just
sent a note."

"All right," said Drake.

Then he suddenly remembered his masquerade, and looked grave and
thoughtful. Yes, it was just possible that some one there might
recognize him.

"Who are the Maltbys?" he asked. "I never heard of them."

Dick's eyes twinkled.

"I can't truthfully say that that argues you unknown," he said; "for
they are very quiet people, and only famous in their own straw yard. Old
Sir William hates London, and he and Lady Maltby seldom leave the
Grange."

"There is no daughter, only this one son," explained Nell. "They are not
at all 'grand,' and I think you will like them. Lady Maltby is always
very kind, and Sir William is a dear old man, who loves to talk about
his prize cattle."

"Do you happen to know who is staying at the house?" asked Drake.

After all, perhaps, he would run no risk of detection; as he had never
met the Maltbys, it was highly improbable that they had heard of him.

"Oh, it's not a large party. I remember some of the names, because young
Maltby ran over them. He said there weren't enough in the house to make
up a dance. I shrewdly conjectured that that's one reason why we were
asked."

"Wise but ungrateful youth!" said Drake. "Let us hear the names."

Dick repeated all that he could remember.

"Know any of them?" he asked.

"No," replied Drake, with relief.

"The fifth," mused Nell, thinking of her dress. "It is very short
notice."

"It's only a scratch affair; but, all the same, I should wear my white
satin with Brussels lace, and put on my suite of diamonds and rubies, if
I were you," advised Dick.

Nell laughed, as she glanced up at Drake.

"I am just wondering whether I have outgrown my nun's veiling," she
said simply. "It's the only dress I have. I'm afraid"--she
hesitated--"I'm afraid you will think it a very poor one!"

"Are you?" he said significantly. "You never can tell. Perhaps I shall
admire it."

As he spoke he asked himself whe