g the history of the afternoon to Jill, later on, Betty
declared that she herself had not spoken a single sentence the whole
afternoon. She had exclaimed, "Really!" "Fancy!" "Goodness!" "How
killing!" each about a hundred times over, had laughed and smiled,
nodded her head and said "Yes" to a dozen propositions, had been
unceasingly amused and interested, but had never been allowed a
breathing space in which to air her own opinions.

It had been finally decided that "a general frolic" should be held on
the following Thursday evening, Christabel proposing, seconding, and
triumphantly carrying the resolution that each guest should come
prepared to entertain the company for a period of at least five minutes
on end. The protesting groans and denials of her companions beat in
vain against the rock of her decision. She smiled graciously upon them,
and cried--

"Rubbish! Of _course_ you can! Sing, play, dance, recite, read aloud,
tell a story, show some new tricks; there's no _end_ to the things to
choose from, my deah! If you begin by protesting and excusing as you
are doing now, there will be no time left. It will be too lovelay for
_words_! A sit-down supper, Nan,--no light refreshments, please!--and,
as a matter of precaution, as much furniture as possible moved out of
the drawing-room. I can't think why you did not have a parquet floor!
People grow so selfish and inconsiderate when they are married.
_Piteous_, I call it!"

"Anything else?" queried Nan loftily. "Selfish, and inconsiderate, and
prim, am I? Prim, indeed! I'll tell Gervase the moment he comes in
what a wretched wife he has married! He'd never find it out for
himself."

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

THE PARTY.

"She may request as much as she likes; I'm not going! I wouldn't go if
I were paid for it!" was Miles' ungallant comment upon receipt of Mrs
Vanburgh's invitation; but before he had time to pen his refusal,
Cynthia, in her new character of mentor, issued her regal decree that it
should be turned into an acceptance. In vain he grumbled and protested;
the silken chains never relaxed their hold.

"Hate parties! Senseless waste of time."

"It would be kind of you to help to make it more profitable."

"I've no parlour tricks--and don't see the fun of making a performing
bear of myself among a lot of strangers."

"It would be bearish to refuse, and allow your sisters to go alone!
I've always longed for a brother to take me about. A n