seated.

Of the table laid for twenty-eight guests, nine places were occupied;
and these, by some mischance, were scattered here and there with wide
intervals. Madame Cleremont sat on my father's right, and three empty
places flanked his left hand.

I sat opposite my father, with two vacant seats on either side of
me; Hotham nearest to me, and one of the strangers beside him. They
conversed in a very low tone, but short snatches and half sentences
reached me; and I heard the stranger say, "It was too bold a step; women
are sure to resent such attempts." Madame Cleremont's name, too, came up
three or four times; and the stranger said, "It's my first dinner here,
and the Bredars will not forgive me for coming."

"Well, there's none of them has such a cook as Norcott," said Hotham.

"I quite agree with you; but I 'd put up with a worse dinner for better
company."

I looked round at this to show I had heard the remark, and from that
time they conversed in a whisper.

My father never uttered a word during the dinner. I do not know if he
ate, but he helped himself and affected to eat. As for Madame, how she
sat out those long two hours, weak and fainting as she was, I cannot
tell. I saw her once try to lift her glass to her lips, but her hand
trembled so, she set it down untasted, and lay back in her chair, like
one dying out of exhaustion.

A few words and a faint attempt to laugh once or twice broke the dead
silence of the entertainment, which proceeded, however, in all its
stately detail, course after course, till the dessert was handed round,
and Tokay, in small gilt glasses, was served; then my father rose
slowly, and, drawing himself up to his full height, looked haughtily
around him. "May I ask my illustrious friends," said he, "who have this
day so graciously honored me with their presence, to drink the health
of my son, whose birthday we celebrate. There is no happier augury on
entering life than to possess the friendship and good-will of those who
stand foremost in the world's honor. It is his great privilege to be
surrounded this day by beauty and by distinction. The great in the arts
of peace and war, and that loveliness which surpasses in its fascination
all other rewards, are around me, and I call upon these to drink to the
health of Digby Norcott."

All rose and drank; Hotham lifted his glass high in air and tried a
cheer, but none joined him; his voice died away, and he sat down; and
for several min