ly of a circumspection not to be
surpassed. When alone with him and Estelle, she was one person; when in
company, she was another, not a little like Mrs. Foss, retaining enough
of her own irrepressible self to seem just acceptably original. Antonia,
the novelist, declared a fondness for people out of the ordinary, the
conventional. Gerald thought the American might interest her. But if she
did not, little depends, at a reception, upon the hostess being charmed
with individual guests; he still believed that Aurora would have a good
time--he meant to ensure her doing this.

Aurora had, as she described it, dressed herself to kill, and was
looking, Estelle told her, perfectly stunning. She had on velvets and
furs, pearls and plumes. She had wished at one and the same time to make
Gerald Fane proud of her and do honor to Antonia's party. Concealed in
her muff was a white parchment volume--muffs were small in those days. A
similar volume had been stuffed into each of Gerald's overcoat pockets.

Gerald, as has been said, remembered At Homes of Antonia's, and had in
mind an image of what he might expect to see.

He perceived at once that to-day all was different. This was immensely
choice, the most so afforded by Florence. That he had been invited
showed Antonia's estimate of him still as a person of artistic
significance; also, he modestly decided, the difficulty one had to make
up an assemblage solely of notabilities. Her permission to bring a
friend showed flattering faith in his taste.

Persons were there whom one but seldom saw anywhere; the persons whom
one saw everywhere were conspicuously absent. Among a majority of
English, there was a sprinkling of Italian nobility, mostly older
people. Antonia had lived for many years in Florence. There was a very
able historian, allied to the English through his wife; there was an old
General of the wars of liberation; there was a Church dignitary of
infinite elegance and high rank: all serious people who did not go to
teas, and whose coming to this one was a compliment to Antonia. The
exceptional woman's right to the like homage was established; her
celebration of Italy was by Italy, in the persons of such sons of hers
as got an inkling of their debt, gracefully acknowledged.

Gerald, entering the large drawing-room with Aurora, at first wondered,
then understood. The interesting Princess Rostopchine, on a visit to
Florence, was present--woman of accomplishments in every
bran