derable reduction of the original terms, Mr. Fladgate, in
explanation, admitted at length that he did _not_ consider 'Sweet
Bells Jangled' altogether up to the standard of Mark's first work, and
intimated that it would not be advisable to risk bringing it out
before the spring season.

'I see,' said Mark, nettled; 'you are not particularly hopeful about
it?'

'Oh,' said Mr. Fladgate, with a wave of his hand, 'I wouldn't say
that. Chance has a good deal to do with these affairs--a good deal to
do. I confess I miss some of the qualities that charmed me in your
"Illusion." It reads to me, if I may say so, like an earlier effort, a
much earlier effort; but it may hit the popular taste for all that;
and it is certainly in quite a different vein.'

Mark came away rather depressed, but he soon persuaded himself that a
publisher was a not infallible judge of literary merit; and then, the
firm had every object in depreciating the work whilst negotiations
were proceeding. For all that he felt uncomfortable now and then, and
he had not wholly got rid of his depression by the time of Dolly's
birthday party.

On his arrival, he found that Dolly's wish had been gratified. Dancing
was the main attraction, and in the principal room were the usual
iron-fisted pianist and red-faced cornet-player, who should be such
profound moralists with all their nightly experiences; and dainty
little girls were whirling round with the fortunate boys who had elder
sisters at home to bully them into acquiring the mysteries of the
valse, while the less favoured stood in doorways gibing with the
scornfulness of envy.

The least observing might trace the course of several naive
preferences and innocent flirtations during the earlier part of the
evening. Big bright-faced boys in devoted attendance on shy and
unconscious small maidens many years their juniors, and, _en
revanche_, determined little ladies triumphantly towing about smaller
boys, who seemed sometimes elated, but mostly resigned, while one
youthful misogynist openly rebelled and fled to Mabel for protection,
declaring ungallantly that he would rather be 'at home in bed than
bothered like that any longer.'

Dolly was enjoying herself amazingly, dancing chiefly, however, with
her dearest girl friend for the time being, since none of the boys
danced well enough to please either of them. And besides, boys rather
bored Dolly, to whom dancing, as yet, was merely a particularly
delightful form