enside was tall and fair, almost florid in complexion, remarkably
well-preserved, with a splendid presence and figure. She had been one
of the beauties of her day, and even now, in the sixth year of her
widowhood, was accounted a remarkably handsome woman. Mr. Foley, her
brother, was also tall, but gaunt and thin, with a pronounced stoop.
His grey imperial gave him an almost foreign appearance. He had the
forehead of a philosopher but the mouth of a humourist. His eyes,
shrewd and penetrating--he wore no glasses although he was nearly sixty
years of age--were perhaps his best feature.

"Tell me, my dear Stephen," she asked, as the tide of incoming guests
finally ceased and they found themselves at liberty, "why are you
looking so disturbed? It seems to me that every one has arrived who
ought to come, and judging by the noise they are making, every one is
thoroughly enjoying themselves. Why are people so noisy nowadays, I
wonder?"

Mr. Foley smiled.

"What an observant person you are! To tell you the truth, there was
just one guest whom I was particularly anxious to see here to-night. He
promised to come, but so far I am afraid that he has not arrived."

"Not that awful man Maraton?"

He nodded.

"No use calling him names, Catharine," he continued grimly. "Maraton is
one of the most important problems we have to face within the next few
weeks. I suppose there is no chance of his having slipped in without
our having noticed him?"

Lady Grenside shook her head.

"I should imagine not. I am quite sure that I haven't shaken hands
to-night with any one who reminded me in the least of what this man must
be. Very likely Elisabeth will discover him if he is here. She has
just gone off on one of her tours of inspection."

Mr. Foley shrugged his shoulders. He was, after all, a philosopher.

"I am afraid Elisabeth won't get very far," he remarked. "Carton was in
her train, and Ellison and Aubrey weren't far behind. She is really
quite wonderful. I never in all my life saw any one look so beautiful
as she does to-night."

Lady Grenside made a little grimace as she laid her fingers upon her
brother's arm and pointed towards an empty settee close at hand.

"Beautiful, yes," she sighed, "but oh, so difficult!"

Almost at that moment, Elisabeth had paused on her way through the
furthest of the three crowded rooms--and Maraton, happening
simultaneously to glance in her direction, their eyes met. They were
both above th